Ocular infections in international travelers

Ophthalmological conditions in international travelers may be associated with low mortality but high morbidity. Eye involvement in travelers is less frequently reported than febrile, gastrointestinal and respiratory infections, but data probably represent a degree of under-notification.

an extensive narrative review of the main viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections affecting the eye in travelers was performed.

Common respiratory tract viral infections may cause ocular complications in travelers, human influenza viruses have been associated with conjunctivitis and emerging avian influenza subtypes may also affect the eye. Vector-borne viral infections may affect travelers, usually with systemic symptoms, but eye disease may be the first presenting feature. A spectrum of manifestations have been described with dengue, chikungunya and Zika infections, including conjunctivitis, anterior uveitis, posterior uveitis with chorioretinitis and macular involvement. Staphylococcus spp, Streptococcus spp, and Pseudomonas spp (especially associated with use of contact lenses) are common causes of keratitis, however, resistance patterns to antimicrobials might vary depending on area of travel. Less frequent infections, such as Burkholderia pseudomallei, associated with environmental exposure, and Bartonella spp. may rarely present with ophthalmological involvement in travelers. Fungal ocular infections, especially after ocular trauma caused by plants and contact lens use, should be considered in patients with stromal keratitis not improving with antibiotic eye drops. Parasitic eye infections tend to occur in tropical areas, but some, such as acanthamoebic keratitis or Toxoplasma spp retinitis, are found worldwide. Increasing exposure to animals, undercooked food consumption or poor hygiene during international travels might be leading to the emergence of certain parasitic eye diseases.

Clinical features, with identification of risk factors and geographical region of exposure, can assist in the definitive diagnosis of imported ophthalmological infections. Management of imported eye infections requires a multi-disciplinary approach involving ophthalmologists, travel medicine/infectious diseases physicians and other specialists.