ABSTRACT
Diagnosis of a case of mycotic keratitis depends largely on the clinical presentation. The ideal culture medium for fungi is Sabouraud dextrose agar owing to the presence of an antibacterial agent, thus promoting fungal growth. In addition thioacrylate broth and blood agar can also be utilized for fungal culture. The chapter aims to provide the detailed information with reference to newer modalities which have emerged as viable options in effective treatment of fungal keratitis. Corneal scrapings should be performed for standard microbiological investigations prior to administration of intrastromal antifungal. Corneal collagen cross-linking is a therapeutic procedure which achieves collagen cross-links within the extracellular matrix and in turn works by increasing the corneal stiffness. Liposomal drug delivery system, polymeric particles containing antifungal drugs, nanostructured lipid carriers and solid lipid nanoparticles agents could be used to increase drug bioavailability, reduce toxicity and prolong administration time for therapeutic advantage in treatment of mycotic keratitis.
