Use of Topical Clotrimazole in Human Keratomycosis

UNLABELLED: Twelve out of 15 patients (9 males and 6 females) with laboratory-proven fungal keratitis were treated with topical clotrimazole, a synthetic imidazole derivative. Their ages ranged from 8 to 70 years. The posttreatment visual acuities were significantly better than the pretreatment visual acuities. No significant biomicroscopic signs of ocular surface toxicity were noted. The ocular condition in 3 patients (all infected with Fusarium solani) deteriorated to blindness despite the antifungal therapy. CONCLUSION: The clotrimazole usually marketed as dermatological preparation can be used in a diluted form to treat human keratomycosis safely and successfully. A combination with a polyene derivative should be considered in the treatment of fungal corneal infection due to Fusarium spp.