[Fungal keratitis]. / Kératites fongiques.

ABSTRACT

Fungal keratitis, or keratomycoses, are corneal infections which must be considered in cases of corneal trauma, prior corneal surgery, chronic ocular surface disease, topical corticosteroids or contact lens wear. Filamentous fungi or yeasts may be involved. Presenting clinical features such as corneal infiltrates with feathery edges and/or raised surface, intact epithelium with deep stromal involvement, satellite lesions, endothelial plaques, lack of improvement with antibiotics and worsening with steroids are suggestive of fungal keratitis. Corneal scraping for laboratory examination is mandatory. Medical management with antifungal eye drops and systemic agents should be started as soon as possible. Surgical interventions are required in a significant number of cases to control the infection. The prognosis of fungal keratitis is worse than that of bacterial keratitis.