Incidence of fungal keratitis in Libya: An epidemiological study

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of eye fungal infection among patients attending the eye hospital in Tripoli city, Libya. Materials and Methods: Seventy-one patients with ocular fungal infections were subjected to clinical and microbiological investigations. They were selected from patients attending the Tripoli Eye Hospital. The specimens of the external ocular infections were collected using sterile swab and inoculated to different culture media. Data were presented as count and percentages. Results: The current findings showed that Aspergillus was the most common causative agent, being responsible for 91.54% of the all cases, followed by Candida albicans (8.46%). Conclusion: Occurrence of fungal keratitis gradually increased in the years after 2009, especially after 2013. Knowledge of the pathological course and clinical features of fungal keratitis will undoubtedly bead in early diagnosis and treatment, with reduction in ocular morbidity.