Posttraumatic phycomycosis of the anterior segment.

Keratomycosis and infection of the anterior chamber with a Rhizopus sp (phycomycosis, mucormycosis) developed in a 24-year-old man following a perforating injury of the cornea with a soil-contaminated screwdriver. The infection was documented by positive cultures of the corneal wound and of the anterior chamber and by histopathologic studies. Phycomycosis of the eye usually occurs in the setting of systemically impaired host resistance. The patient had no underlying disease that wound predispose him to this infection but the treatment with topical 0.1% dexamethasone and triamcinolone acetonide suspension injected into the sub-Tenon's space following the injury may have impaired his local immunologic defenses. Excisional keratoplasty played an important role in the successful management of this case.