Acanthamoeba keratitis. Contact lens and noncontact lens characteristics.

Authors

Chynn EW, Lopez MA, Pavan-Langston D, et al. 

Institution

Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.

Source

Ophthalmology 1995 Sep; 102(9) :1369-73.

Abstract

PURPOSE
To identify potential differences in time to diagnosis and final visual outcome between contact lens and noncontact lens users with Acanthamoeba keratitis.
BACKGROUND
Prior studies have shown early diagnosis and therapy to be related to outcome but have not analyzed differences among patients with and without contact lenses.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis of 11 consecutive cases (involving 13 eyes) of Acanthamoeba keratitis diagnosed at one institution over a 3-year period.
RESULTS
Mean time to diagnosis was significantly longer in noncontact lens users versus those who wore contact lenses (mean, 5.8 versus 3.3 weeks). Fifty percent of patients who did not wear contact lenses had a poor outcome (visual acuity worse than 20/40 or penetrating keratoplasty) versus 14% of patients who wore contact lenses.
CONCLUSION
Diagnoses were made later in patients without contact lenses, and these patients had a worse visual outcome than those with Acanthamoeba keratitis who wore contact lenses. All patients with unresponsive microbial keratitis, even those without contact lens use, should be evaluated for Acanthamoeba.

Mesh

Acanthamoeba
Acanthamoeba Keratitis
Adolescent
Adult
Animals
Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
Contact Lenses
Cornea
Female
Humans
Keratoplasty, Penetrating
Male
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Time Factors
Visual Acuity

Language

eng

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

PubMed ID

9097775