A rare case of scleral buckle infection with Curvularia species

BACKGROUND: Scleral buckling is an established modality of treating retinal detachment. Being an external implant the buckle may be prone to infections. We report such a case with a delayed presentation and a rare etiology. CASE PRESENTATION: A 45 year old male presented with redness, foreign body sensation and discharge for one month in his right eye. The patient had undergone a retinal detachment surgery elsewhere 14 years back without any visual gain. Right eye demonstrated no perception of light and the best corrected visual acuity in the left eye was 6/6, N6. On downgaze an exposed and anteriorly displaced scleral buckle was identified with black deposits and mucopurulent material overlying the buckle. Scleral buckle removal was done. On microbiological examination Curvularia species was identified. Successful treatment with antifungals was done. CONCLUSIONS: Scleral buckle infection with dematiaceous fungi is a rare occurrence. To the best of our knowledge this is the first case report describing a buckle infection caused by the curvularia species.