Current Trends in Treating Acanthamoeba Keratitis: A Brief Narrative Review

Abstract

The Author, after examining the historical evolution of scientific knowledge and treatment of severe Acanthamoebic keratitis, presents this brief review on the treatment of this serious eye disease, relatively frequent in patients with corneal contact lenses. Therapy of Acanthamoeba keratitis is always very long and demanding. Its management requires adequate experience because it is not always easy to evaluate the response to treatment and complications can be very serious and difficult to manage. Resistance to therapy can also occur during treatment and must be distinguished from drug-induced toxicity. In cases where no improvement is obtained with maximum medical therapy, it is advisable to repeat the corneal sampling and proceed to new laboratory tests for Acanthamoeba, bacteria and fungi. Prevention, which always remains of fundamental importance, is practically based on avoiding contact of the corneal lens with contaminated water, since this Acanthamoeba has a ubiquitous diffusion. It is therefore recommended to always avoid the use of corneal contact lenses in the pool or in the shower, not to wash them under running tap water and to frequently replace the relative container of these lenses.
 Key Words: Acanthamoeba Keratitis, Corneal ulcer, Contact lenses.