[Clinical diagnosis of fungal keratitis by confocal microscopy].
OBJECTIVE
To illustrate the value of confocal microscope in the diagnosis of fungal keratitis.


METHODS
In vivo confocal microscopy was performed on 43 patients of suspected fungal keratitis. The results were compared to that of smears and biopsies.


RESULTS
Fungal filaments were imaged in 31 of 43 patients' corneas. Fungal keratitis was diagnosed in 32 patients based on clinical signs and all the methods of examinations. The positive rate of confocal microscopy is 96.9%.


CONCLUSIONS
Confocal microscopy can be a rapid, effective and noninvasive imaging technique, and it is helpful in the diagnosis, treatment and study of fungal keratitis.
Xie
L
L
Institute of Ophthalmology, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Qingdao 266071.
Li
S
S
Shi
W
W
Han
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008875:Middle Aged