AIM: To evaluate the value of Heidelberg retina tomograph 3-RCM(HRT3-RCM)in clinical diagnosis of fungal keratitis.

METHODS: Thirty-two eyes with clinical determined fungal keratitis were observed with HRT3-RCM examination. In the same time, the corneal scraping was performed for all cases.

RESULTS: In 32 patients, the positive rate of corneal scraping was 75%(24/32)and the positive rate of HRT3-RCM was 94%(30/32).

CONCLUSION: HRT3-RCM, which is using laser as light source, is a new generation of confocal microscopy. It is a rapid, effective and noninvasive technique that can be used in the early diagnosis, treatment of fungal keratitis.