To investigate the predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, treatment results and risk factors for treatment failure in Staphylococcus epidermidis keratitis.

Sixty-one eyes of 61 patients who were diagnosed with Staphylococcus epidermidis keratitis were included in the present study. The past history, location and size of ulceration, hypopyon, treatment results, and antibiotic susceptibility were reviewed retrospectively. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the main prognostic risk factors for treatment failure.

Twenty-six eyes (42.6%) had previous histories of corneal traumas. Polymicrobial infections were observed in 31 cases (50.8%), including 11 cases (35.5%) combined with the Fusarium species. Twenty-five eyes (41.0%) had lesions located at the corneal center. The average size of ulceration was 7.3 ± 7.2 mm². Thirteen eyes (21.3%) with lesions that progressed or occurred in the corneal perforation underwent evisceration, penetrating keratoplasty or scleral graft. Risk factors for treatment failure were a history of previous keratitis ( P = 0.003) and an ulcer exceeding 5.0 mm² in size ( P = 0.018).

Staphylococcus epidermidis keratitis usually has a good prognosis, although a history of previous keratitis and a large ulcer size are risk factors for treatment failure.