Resumen

RODRIGUEZ DURAN, Margarita  y  GOMEZ DAZA, Fernando. Ocular mycosis: an underestimated infection in Venezuela. Salus [online]. 2014, vol.18, n.1, pp.32-40. ISSN 1316-7138.

Due to its climate, geographical and social situation, Venezuela has the profile for fungal ocular diseases. Even though the incidence and prevalence of this ocular morbidity is undetermined in our country, most of the ophthalmologist have encountered the disease yearly in public or private practice. Fungal keratitis is the most frequent form of presentation of ocular mycosis, it can lead to irreversible complications and even monocular blindness, especially for people living in the agricultural communities of the developing world. The disease is easily overlooked or missed, and delayed diagnosis is common. This fact increases the likelihood of severe sequelae and surgical interventions. Filamentous fungi are most frequently the causative organism for fungal keratitis associated with ocular trauma or contact lens wear. The purpose of this study is to present a clinical-epidemiological review-update, which includes diagnosis and treatment strategies of this underestimated disease in Venezuela, as well as to encourage future epidemiological studies to recognize risk factors and preventive treatment in our region.

Palabras clave : ocular mycosis; mycotic-keratitis; Venezuela.

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