Fungal keratitis in Germany : Diagnostics, conservative and microsurgical treatment.

Fungal keratitis is still a relatively rare but very serious ophthalmological condition with a potentially vision-threatening course, possibly including even loss of the eye. Similar to acanthamoeba keratitis, it is often initially misdiagnosed at the slit lamp. For more than 20 years an increase in the incidence of fungal keratitis has been observed, also in Germany, possibly due to the increased use of soft contact lenses and climate change. This article provides an overview of the typical clinical signs and symptoms of keratomycosis and presents the latest findings in the field of diagnostics as well as drug and, in particular, microsurgical treatment. A special focus is placed on the indications and technique of emergency keratoplasty (à chaud) for fungal keratitis and its postoperative care.