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Where are these fungi found?

Fungi that can cause keratitis are commonly found in the environment, such as in soil, plants, and water. They can also be present on poorly cleaned contact lenses, in contaminated water, or in unhygienic conditions.

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Diagnosis Process

Fungal keratitis diagnosis includes a thorough eye exam by an eye doctor:

1. To understand the symptoms and risks, medical history can be checked.
2. The doctor will check your eyes with a slit lamp microscope.
3. Corneal culture will be tested that can help identify the specific fungus causing the infection.
4. Fluorescein staining will be done to highlight any corneal damage or ulcers.
5. Visual acuity testing will help measure the extent of vision loss.

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Fungal Keratitis Treatment Options

Eye doctors treat Fungal Keratitis with antifungal medicines. The treatments can be both oral and topicalantifungals to ensure faster recovery.

Antifungal Medications

• Topical Antifungal Drops: In most cases, doctors prescribe topical antifungal drops as part of a treatment plan for fungal infections.
• Oral Antifungal Medicines: For severe infections, oral medicines may be required as a way to combat infection.

When severe infections don't respond to medicines, surgical methods can be opted.

• Corneal Transplant (Keratoplasty): This surgical process involves replacing an infected cornea with one from a healthy donor cornea.
• Amniotic Membrane Transplant: This procedure helps speed healing and decrease scarring; often combined with other treatments.

It's important to note that Corneal Transplant and Amniotic Membrane Transplant are not performed at Save Sight Centre.

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Effective Management and Recovery

Fungal Keratitis can be a challenging eye condition, but with timely diagnosis and proper Fungal Keratitis treatment, you can preserve your eyesight. Remember, early intervention is key, and maintaining good eye hygiene and protection can go a long way in preventing this condition.

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Hygiene and Prevention

• Wash your hands regularly and properly to stop the spread of illness.
• Take good care of your contact lenses by following the rules for keeping them clean.
• Protect your eyes from harm by wearing glasses or contact lenses when you're outside.
• Stay away from dirty water and land to lower your risk of getting sick. To keep fungi from growing on farming tools, keep them clean.

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Follow-Up Care

Continued care and monitoring are important components of Fungal Keratitis treatment.

• It's important to keep up with your progress by seeing an eye doctor on a regular basis.
• Take your medicines as prescribed by the doctor.
• Keeping an eye out for any possible problems makes sure that help is available quickly if it's needed.

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Fungal Keratitis in Special Cases

This problem can affect individuals differently, and special considerations may be necessary in certain cases.

• Children require specialized care when dealing with Fungal Keratitis.
• Extra caution is necessary during diagnosis and treatment to minimize trauma to young patients.
• Patients with diabetes or immunosuppression may need a customised treatment plan for ocular disorders.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q.1 Can Fungal Keratitis be prevented?

Ans. While some risk factors are unavoidable, such as injuries, you can reduce your risk by practicing good contact lens hygiene, avoiding eye trauma, and staying away from contaminated water sources.

Q.2 Are there any home remedies for Fungal Keratitis?

Ans. Home remedies are not recommended for treating fungals. Always consult an eye specialist for proper eye treatment.

Q.3 Is Fungal Keratitis contagious?

Ans. No, it is not typically contagious from person to person.

Q.4 Can I wear contact lenses after recovering from Fungal Keratitis?

Ans. Consult your eye specialist before resuming contact lens use. They will provide guidance based on your specific eye condition.

Q.5 Can Fungal Keratitis cause permanent vision loss?

Ans. Yes, if left untreated, it can lead to vision impairment, but with proper care, vision can often be preserved.