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<b>AIM:</b>To evaluate the expression of dendritic cell-associated C-type lectin-1 (dectin-1) in human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells infected by fungus.<b>METHODS:</b>A total of 20 cases of healthy donor corneas were group A, and 20 patients (20 eyes) suffered from fungal keratitis (FK) composed group B. Real-time qPCR and immunohistochemistry were applied to detect dectin-1 expression in corneal epithelium of both groups. HCE cells were cultured with aspergillus fumigatus (AF) antigens <i>in vitro</i>. The expression of dectin-1 mRNA was measured by real-time qPCR at the stimulation of 0, 4, 8 and 24h separately. Dectin-1 protein was detected by immunocytochemistry at 0 and 24h separately.<b>RESULTS:</b> Dectin-1 expressed in corneal epithelium of normal persons and FK patients. <i>Vitro</i> cellular experiment showed that the expression of dectin-1 mRNA in HCE cells began to increase after stimulation of AF antigens at 4h, and dectin-1 protein expression increased after stimulation at 24h.<b>CONCLUSION:</b> Dectin-1 expressed in corneal epithelium of normal persons. AF antigens stimulation can elevate the expression of dectin-1 in HCE cells <i>in vitro</i>.