Dr. Lakshey Dudeja, D14561, Dr. Prajna Lalitha, Dr. Lalan Kumar Arya, Dr. Prajna N V
Purpose: To study the role of various diagnostic modalities and clinical outcomes in patients with Acanthamoeba keratitis.
Methods: This was a prospective study on 23 clinically suspected Acanthamoeba keratitis patients. Microbiological evaluation, real–time PCR (RT-PCR) and confocal microscopy was done. Clinical outcomes evaluated.
Results: All cases were non-contact lens wearers. 16 patients presented with ring infiltrate (70%). Sensitivity for diagnosis of smear was 83% (19/23), culture 78% (18/23), confocal microscopy 96% (22/23) and RT-PCR was 52% (12/23). 17 cases responded to medical management with topical anti-amoebic drugs. Mean time to heal was 11.7 weeks. 3 were lost to follow up, 2 needed therapeutic keratoplasty and 1 patient had corneal melt.
Conclusion: Confocal microscopy had the highest sensitivity for diagnosis followed by microbiological evaluation. Topical anti amoebic medications are effective in majority of patients.