A rare case of Phialemonium obovatum keratitis

PURPOSE: We report a rare case of Phialemonium obovatum fungal keratitis in a patient sustaining a corneal laceration from impact with a piece of moldy plaster. OBSERVATIONS: The patient was treated with topical voriconazole with resolution of active keratitis and formation of a stromal scar. The patient's final visual acuity was 20/20 in the affected eye. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: There is only one other case of Phialemonium obovatum keratitis reported in the literature. The patient in the previous case required amniotic membrane transplantation for persistent stromal melting with resultant visual acuity of hand motions only. The present case demonstrates that the early use of topical antifungal medication with close follow-up can prevent corneal perforation and result in excellent visual acuity.