Fungal Keratitis - Clinical Features

Clinical Features

The symptoms of fungal keratitis are blurred vision, a red and painful eye that does not improve when contact lenses are removed, or on antibiotic treatment, increased sensitivity to light(photophobia), and excessive tearing or discharge. The symptoms are markedly less as compared to a similar bacterial ulcer. Signs: The eyelids and adnexa involved shows edema and redness, conjuctiva is chemosed. Ulcer may be present. It is a dry looking corneal ulcer with satellite lesions in the surrounding cornea. Usually associated with fungal ulcer is hypopyon which is mostly white fluffy in appearance. Rarely, it may extend to the posterior segment to cause endophthalmitis in later stages, leading to the destruction of the eye. (Note: Fungal endophthalmitis is extremely rare)