Abstract
Corneal infection is a typical opportunistic infection of the cornea, and is the second most important cause of blindness after cataract worldwide. Corneal infection may be caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, and amoeba. Keratomycosis, one type of corneal infection, is caused by fungi including yeast-like fungi (Candida) and filamentous fungi (Fusarium, Aspergillus, and others). Most cases of keratomycosis caused by filamentous fungi are considered to result from injury related with soils or vegetations. Our hospital has experienced 7 cases of keratomycosis caused by filamentous fungi between 2005 and 2008, 3 cases by Paecilomyces lilacinus, 2 cases by Fusarium oxisporum, 1 case by Aspergillus fumigatus, 1 case by Plectsporum tabacinum. Paecilomyces lilacinus was the most common filamentous fungi. Keratomycosis caused by P. lilacinus tends to have severe consequences, so early treatment with antifungal drugs is very important.
