ABSTRACT
Fungal Keratitis (FK), a severe blinding eye disease, is closely associated with plant trauma. This chapter focuses on the clinical manifestations and diagnosis of FK, medication, surgical indications and methods. The growth patterns of fungal pathogens are related to the following clinical features: Keratopathy manifests as an elevated lesion on the cornea like a carpet, covering the underlying inflammatory necrotic tissue and the inner normal corneal tissue. The incidence of fungal corneal ulcer is high in China, accounting for the first place in infectious keratitis. Most of the patients are farmers, and the low economic conditions hinder them to receive timely and effective management. A wide variety of pathogens causing FK and complex clinical manifestations cause difficulties for clinical diagnosis and medical treatment. Routine antifungal treatment and prevention of immune rejection are required after surgery. Standardized diagnosis and treatment of fungal keratitis is of vital importance for patients to obtain good therapeutic effects.
