Although a rare condition—a recent study identified only 39 cases in 15 years—Moraxella keratitis can have devastating effects on a patient’s vision. To better understand the condition’s risk factors, clinical characteristics, management and treatment outcomes, researchers recently looked at all confirmed cases of Moraxella keratitis in one facility between January 2003 and April 2018.

They found 87.2% of cases had an ocular risk factor such as blepharitis (30.8%), dry eye (30.8%) and history of ocular surgery (23.1%). Concerning treatment, 92.3% of cases received a fluoroquinolone and 76.7% received topical fortified antibiotics. Of the 39 eyes diagnosed with Moraxella keratitis, 10.3% required tarsorrhaphy, 15.4% required penetrating keratoplasty and one required enucleation.

Despite these therapies, 54.3% of cases with available visual acuity information were counting fingers or worse at the last follow-up.

Most cases are susceptible to fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides, the researchers conclude, but “many patients required surgical intervention and the final visual acuity was often poor.”