Mycotic Keratitis: An Overview on Diagnosis and Treatment with a Focus on Epidemiology of the Disease in Iran

Keratomycosis is the most important cause of ocular morbidity which is mainly occurred in field worker as an occupational disease. Fungal keratitis is caused by yeast and filamentous fungi. Aspergillus and Fusarium species are the most prevalent filamentous cause of keratomycosis. The most common yeast cause is Candida species especially C. albicans. In the last reports, trauma to the cornea was a major cause of mycotic keratitis but recently contact lens wearing, prolonged corticosteroid therapy and ocular surgery has been described to enhance the occurrence of mycotic keratitis Although, patient's history, clinical features, and laboratory methods may suggest keratomycosis but it is often difficult to diagnose and missed, unless precise mycological studies are performed. The laboratory diagnosis of mycotic keratitis is highly dependent on traditional method such as direct microscopy and culture. The molecular method and confocal microscopy can be helpful in diagnosis indeed. Since for effective treatment, rapid and accurate diagnosis of the disease is essential. This review aimed to discuss the published literature in relation to the epidemiology, etiology, risk factor, diagnosis and therapy of fungal keratitis with especial focus in published literature in relation to its epidemiology in Iran.