A 5-Year Review of Acanthamoeba Keratitis Related to Wearing Contact Lenses in Korea

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the presentation, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) in Busan, South Korea, over a 5-year period. Methods: This retrospective study involved a review of the medical records of 16 patients (19 eyes in total) who were diagnosed with AK, related to wearing contact lenses, at the tertiary hospital, Pusan National University Hospital at Busan City, from December 2013 to December 2018. Results: Nineteen eyes of 16 patients with a diagnosis of AK were identified. The average age of the patients was 21.1±12.6 years; there were 2 men and 14 women. The mean period from the onset of the first symptoms to diagnosis was 7.0±6.5 days. The average initial visual acuity was 0.78±0.37 (tested on a logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution chart), and the final visual acuity after treatment was 0.07±0.07, indicating a significant improvement (P=0.001). A variety of corneal lesions were identified. Early diagnosis of AK was associated with a significantly better final visual acuity. Conclusion: The average therapeutic period for AK, when a surface epithelial lesion of the cornea was identified, was 4 months compared with an average period of over 6 months for a deeper stromal lesion. Therefore, this study highlights the fundamental importance of early diagnosis, preventing deeper layers of the cornea from being affected, and appropriate management to ensure a favorable outcome.

Acanthamoeba Keratitis in Egypt: Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes

“…A finding that may be attributed to the higher prevalence of CL wear among them. 1,21 Similar to other studies, 22,23 CL wear with bad hygiene was the most common risk factor of AK in our series. Based on the rural nature of the community where our study was performed, trauma by organic material was recorded as the second most common risk factor of AK due to prevalence of agricultural activities among the population.…”

Tsukamurella keratitis: the first case in the United States

“…11 It has been demonstrated that Acanthamoeba infections are commonly polymicrobial, 12 and we believe this was a case of coinfection with both Tsukamurella and Acanthamoeba. Contact lens use is the most common risk factor for Acanthamoeba, 12,13 which was a risk factor for our patient, and it may also be a risk factor for Tsukamurella infection. Whether there is a specific association between Tsukamurella and Acanthamoeba infections remains to be elucidated.…”

New Frontiers in Acanthamoeba Keratitis Diagnosis and Management

“…While the trophozoite form is much more easily eliminated, the cystic form is often difficult to target and eliminate [77][78][79]. Early recognition and prompt diagnosis can be critical in AK treatment, preventing deeper layers of the cornea from being affected [12,[80][81][82]. Treatment for AK typically consists of antimicrobial agents, including biguanides, diamidines, antiseptics, antiparasitics, antibiotics, and antifungal agents.…”