FUNGAL KERATITIS

Course overview

FUNGAL KERATITIS IS AN IMPORTANT EYE INFECTION, ESPECIALLY IN OUTDOOR WORKERS. IN MOST CASES, EYE TRAUMA, CORTICOSTEROID USE, OR CONTACT LENS USAGE ARE PREDISPOSING FACTORS. DIAGNOSIS USUALLY BY POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION AND DIRECT MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION AND CULTURES. TOPICAL NATAMYCIN AND VORICONAZOLE ARE COMMONLY USED TO TREAT FUNGAL KERATITIS. SURGERY MAY BE REQUIRED IN SOME CASES. THIS TOPIC REVIEWS THE EPIDEMIOLOGY, PATHOGENESIS, CLINICAL FEATURES, AND TREATMENT OF FUNGAL KERATITIS AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE CARE OF AFFECTED PATIENTS.