title: Ocular fungal infections.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Microbiology, clinical perspective of ocular fungal infections, and the experimental models were overviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of published studies were evaluated and personal experience was mentioned. In this review, clinical features of keratitis and endogenous and exogenous endophthalmitis are also mentioned, but this article mainly focused on laboratory diagnosis and the experimental models of ophthalmic mycoses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fungal infections were discussed according to the anatomical part of the eye involved in the disease. Trauma is the most important predisposing cause; the species of Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Candida are the most frequently isolated organisms. Laboratory methods, such as culture, remains the cornerstone of diagnosis; direct microscopic detection of fungal structures in ocular samples permits a rapid presumptive diagnosis. New approaches, such as serological and molecular methods, have been widely used in recent years. A variety of antifungals have been evaluated in the therapy of this condition. Experimental models would facilitate investigations exploring the pathophysiology, cell biology, genetics, immunology, and therapy of this disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fungal infections of the eye continue to be an important cause of ocular morbidity, particularly in the developing world. Understanding ocular infections will improve the outcome of this condition.
authors.affiliation: Medical Microbiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey. aysekalkanci@email.com
authors.forename: Ayse
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kalkanci
authors.forename: Sengul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozdek
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D009181:Mycoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents