Work

Fungal Keratitis following the Application of Green Tea Bag Warm Compresses

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction: This case presents the development of severe fungal keratitis sourced from a green tea bag used as an ocular warm compress. Case Presentation: A 29-year-old healthy patient developed a deep stromal fungal keratitis in his left eye 2 weeks after utilizing a green tea bag as a warm compress to improve meibomian gland dysfunction that ruptured over his eye. Treatment of infection included topical and intrastromal injections of voriconazole. Topical treatment was maintained after hospital discharge for 10 months. Follow-ups were continued until the complete resolution of active infection. Final corrected visual acuity was 0.7 (LogMAR, 0.3 pinhole), and there was residual corneal scarring. Conclusion: Warm compresses are a first-line treatment for meibomian gland disorders. Although application of warm tea bags over the eyelids appears to be an economical and accessible option, this method should be carefully considered due to the risk of fungal keratitis development.

Source: Case Reports in Ophthalmology

DOI: 10.1159/000546055

Authors: Nir Erdinest, Abraham Solomon, Itay Lavy, Naomi London, Denise Wajnsztajn

Institutions: Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Hadassah Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Ocular Infections and Treatments

Subfield: Ophthalmology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,030