Purpose. To report the ulcer characteristics, microbiologic data, and outco
me of infectious keratitis associated with climatic droplet keratopathy (CD
K), suggesting that CDK is a predisposing factor for infectious keratitis.
Methods. Medical records of 32 patients (34 eyes) in whom infectious kerati
tis was seen in association with CDK were retrospectively reviewed. Data we
re collected regarding the nature of CDK lesions, infiltrate characteristic
s, organisms isolated, and outcome. Results. CDK was peripheral in 16(47.1%
) eyes, central in 8 (23.5%), and diffuse in 10 (29.4%). The CDK lesions we
re nodular and elevated in all eyes. The infiltrate was adjacent to the CDK
lesions in 28 eyes (82.4%). The infiltrate size (widest dimension) ranged
2-6 mm in 18 eyes (52.9%) and was >6 mm in 7 (20.5%). The infiltrate was fu
ll thickness in 15 eyes (44.1%) and was involving up to the middle third of
the corneal stroma in another 18 (52.8%). Hypopyon was seen in all. Bacter
ia were commonly isolated. Staphylococcus epidermidis (six eyes) and Strept
ococcus pneumoniae (five eyes) were the common bacteria isolated. Resolutio
n with medical treatment was seen in 20 (58.8%) eyes. Conclusions. CDK is a
predisposing factor for infectious keratitis. Treatment should be consider
ed for advanced and nodular lesions, even if they are peripheral, to preven
t infectious keratitis.