Fungal keratitis

Keratomycosis
Other namesMycotic keratitis, keratomycosis, oculomycosis[1]
SpecialtyInfectious diseases
SymptomsEye pain, blurred vision, red eye, eye discharge, photophobia, corneal ulceration[1]
ComplicationsBlindness[1]
CausesPathogenic fungi: Fusarium, Aspergillus, Candida,[1]
Differential diagnosisOther corneal infections[1]
Frequency>1 million/year, M>F[1]

Fungal keratitis is a fungal infection of the cornea, which can lead to blindness.[2] It generally presents with a red, painful eye and blurred vision.[1] There is also increased sensitivity to light, and excessive tears or discharge.[1]

It is caused by fungal organisms such as Fusarium, Aspergillus or Candida.[1][3] Up to 70 different fungi have been found as causes.[2]

Fungal keratitis has a worldwide distribution, but is more common in the tropics.[1] Around 1 million people become blind every year due to fungal keratitis.[4] Theodor Leber first described a case of fungal keratitis caused by Aspergillus in 1879.[5]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Brown, Lottie; Leck, Astrid K.; Gichangi, Michael; Burton, Matthew J.; Denning, David W. (22 October 2020). "The global incidence and diagnosis of fungal keratitis". The Lancet. Infectious Diseases. 21 (3): e49–e57. doi:10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30448-5. ISSN 1474-4457. PMID 33645500. S2CID 226330064.
  2. ^ a b Richardson, Malcolm D.; Warnock, David W. (2012). "8. Keratomycosis". Fungal Infection: Diagnosis and Management (4th ed.). John Wiley & Sons. p. 156. ISBN 978-1-4051-7056-7.
  3. ^ "Basics of Fungal Keratitis | Contact Lenses | CDC". www.cdc.gov. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 13 August 2021.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Rod2020 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Rai2019 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).