Chromoblastomycosis of the Conjunctiva Mimicking Melanoma of the Ciliary Body

Abstract

Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic subcutaneous mycosis that typically involves the lower extremities. The vast majority of causative microorganisms have melanized cell walls (ie, are dematiaceous fungi) and belong to 4 genuses of saprophytic fungi: Phialophora, Fonsecaea, Rhinocladiella, and Cladophialophora.^1,2 Most human infections can be traced to traumatic implantation. We describe a unique case of conjunctival chromoblastomycosis that mimicked a uveal melanoma with scleral invasion.