Fungal Keratitis

Aspergilus sp. Fungal Keratitis
  • Rare, but should always be considered when history of trauma with plant or vegetable matter is present or in an immuno-compromised patient.
  • Etiology: Fusarium solani, Aspergillus sp., Curvularia sp., Candida albicans, and rare Dimorphic fungi (Histoplasma, Sporothrix, etc.).

Clinical Features

  • Symptoms: foreign body sensation, decreased vision, ocular pain, photophobia, red eye and watery discharge.
  • Signs:
    • Fine or coarse granular infiltrate within epithelium and anterior stroma
    • Gray-white color, dry, and rough corneal surface that may appear elevated
    • Typical irregular feathery-edged infiltrate
    • White ring in the cornea and satellite lesions near the edge of the primary focus of the infection
    • In advance cases: suppurative stromal keratitis associated with conjunctival hyperemia, anterior chamber inflammation, hypopion, iritis, endothelial plaque or possible corneal perforation.

Work Up

  • Corneal smears for yeasts, hyphae and pseudohyphae.
  • Cytologic, histologic examination, culture and corneal biopsy for diagnosis, confirmation and treatment purposes.

Management

  • Prolonged course of systemic and topical antifungal.
  • Frequent scraping or localized debridement to remove superficial corneal necrotic tissue.
  • Cycloplegic drop is indicated to reduce intraocular inflammation, relieve ciliary spasm and prevent posterior synechiae.
  • Anti-inflammatory agents and corticosteroids.
  • Surgical procedures such as superficial, lamellar keratectomy or penetrating keratoplasty are indicated when optimal anti-fungal therapy has failed to cure this infection.