Delayed scleral buckle infection due to Alternaria species.

OBJECTIVE

To report a case of scleral buckle infection by Alternaria fungus.

CASE REPORT

A 75-year-old male who underwent rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair 11 years ago developed a scleral buckle infection during the course of serial injections of bevacizumab for the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration. Removal of the scleral buckle was done and culture results revealed Alternaria species.

RESULTS

The infected scleral buckle was removed and the patient received oral voriconazole. The patient's best corrected visual acuity changed from 20/50 preoperatively to 20/150 six months after the procedure.

CONCLUSION

Alternaria species may be encountered as a cause of scleral buckle infection.