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Fungal Keratitis

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Foundations of Corneal Disease

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Abstract

Fungal keratitis (FK) is one of the most challenging organisms to diagnose and treat in the field of corneal microbiology. Most organisms responsible for fungal keratitis are more virulent and pathogenic compared to other etiologies of inectious keratits, such as bacteria and/or viruses. To prevent severe outcomes in FK patients, new advances in diagnosis and treatment have been developed. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has gained usage as a highly sensitive and rapid diagnostic technique lowering response time from days for fungal cultures to 4–8 hours. Medical treatments have shifted from standard medications, such as natamycin, to newer triazoles such as voriconazole, or itraconazole, which offer better corneal penetration. Novel treatments have also been developed using riboflavin cross-linking (CXL) and rose bengal photodynamic antimicrobial therapy (PDAT). New improvements in technology and understanding of FK have led to better patient outcomes. These improvements include better surgical tools and techniques, such as lamellar corneal transplantation and new primers for molecular diagnosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Department of Cornea and Refractive Surgery, Miami, FL, USA

    Jaime D. Martinez & Guillermo Amescua

  2. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Department of Corneal and External Diseases, Miami, FL, USA

    Eduardo C. Alfonso

Authors
  1. Jaime D. Martinez
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  2. Guillermo Amescua
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  3. Eduardo C. Alfonso
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Correspondence to Guillermo Amescua .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Louis Block Professor Chair, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Chicago Medicine & Biological Sciences, Chicago, IL, USA

    Kathryn Colby

  2. Claes H. Dohlman Professor of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Cornea & Refractive Surgery, Massachusetts Eye & Ear, Boston, MA, USA

    Reza Dana

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Martinez, J.D., Amescua, G., Alfonso, E.C. (2020). Fungal Keratitis. In: Colby, K., Dana, R. (eds) Foundations of Corneal Disease. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25335-6_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25335-6_5

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