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What Is Yeast Keratitis?

Yeast keratitis is a type of fungal keratitis caused by yeast-like organisms, most commonly Candida albicans. Unlike filamentous fungi, yeast infections typically occur in eyes already compromised by chronic surface disease.

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What Is Yeast Keratitis?

Yeast keratitis is a type of fungal keratitis caused by yeast-like organisms, most commonly Candida albicans. Unlike filamentous fungi, yeast infections typically occur in eyes already compromised by chronic surface disease.

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Risk Factors

The primary risk factors for yeast keratitis include the long-term use of corticosteroid eye drops, chronic dry eye, or a history of corneal surgery (like a transplant).

Recognizing the Symptoms

Symptoms include severe pain, redness, blurred vision, and light sensitivity. Clinically, a "yeast" infection often appears as a localized, creamy-white or "button-like" ulcer on the cornea.

Diagnosis and Lab Testing

Because it can look like a bacterial infection, a corneal scraping is required. The sample is cultured on specialized media (like Sabouraud agar) and viewed under a microscope.

Treatment Challenges

Yeast keratitis is treated with topical antifungal medications such as Amphotericin B or Natamycin. Treatment is often prolonged, lasting weeks or months.

Frequently Asked Questions About Yeast Keratitis

Can I get this from bread yeast?

No. While they are both fungi, the yeast that causes eye infections is typically a species like Candida that lives on the human body or in the environment.

Is it contagious?

No. You cannot "catch" yeast keratitis from someone else; it almost always requires a pre-existing weakness in your own cornea.

Can contact lenses cause this?

Yes, poor hygiene or wearing lenses in a compromised eye can allow yeast to take hold on the corneal surface.