title: Mycotic Infections of the Eye.
abstract: Fungal infections of the eye are an important cause of significant visual loss and blindness in some regions of the world, especially developing countries. Ocular mycoses remain a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the ophthalmologist. Corneal infection is the most frequent presentation, but the orbit, eyelids, lacrimal apparatus, conjunctiva, sclera and internal structures of the eye can also be affected. Candida spp., Fusarium spp. and Aspergillus spp. are the most frequently isolated organisms in fungal keratitis and in endophthalmitis. The difficulties posed by ocular mycoses are mainly related to establishing the clinical diagnosis, isolation of the fungal pathogen and effective local treatment, particularly in infections of the cornea. The critical issue in diagnosing fungal infection of the eye is microbiological identification of the etiologic agent in clinical samples. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment allow serious complications, including blindness, to be avoided. Local, systemic and even surgical treatment is applied in the therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department and Clinic of Ophthalmology, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland.
authors.forename: Mirosław
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Słowik
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland; Department and Clinic of Hematology, Blood Neoplasms and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland.
authors.forename: Monika M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Biernat
authors.affiliation: Department and Clinic of Hematology, Blood Neoplasms and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland.
authors.forename: Donata
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Urbaniak-Kujda
authors.affiliation: Department and Clinic of Hematology, Blood Neoplasms and Bone Marrow Transplantation, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kapelko-Słowik
authors.affiliation: Department and Clinic of Ophthalmology, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Misiuk-Hojło
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents