Argon Laser as Adjunctive Therapy for Refractory Alternaria Fungal Keratitis: A Case Report

Fungal keratitis is an ocular emergency that requires early and appropriate management. It can lead to significant visual loss. Standard treatment includes topical and systemic antifungals. In refractory cases, adjuvant therapies have been explored. The argon laser has shown higher cure rates than other traditional therapies.

We describe the case of a 55-year-old farmer with a 20-day history of foreign body sensation. The condition was classified as a fungal corneal ulcer caused by Alternaria spp. Argon laser treatment was performed with a 500-um spot for 0.2 s at 900 mW power. This led to a reduction in the corneal epithelial defect and complete healing.

Argon laser treatment for this refractory fungal ulcer resulted in complete healing of the epithelial defect, with minimal corneal opacity.