DIAGNOSIS OF ACANTHAMOEBA-KERATITIS IN-VIVO WITH CONFOCAL MICROSCOPY

We present eight cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis. In each case, the Ac anthamoeba organisms were visualized in the epithelium and anterior st roma using tandem scanning confocal microscopy. The organisms were hig hly reflective, ovoid, and were 10-25 mu m in diameter. The Acanthamoe ba organisms in the human corneas were identical in size and shape to Acanthamoeba organisms on an agar plate visualized with the same confo cal microscope. Confocal microscopy is a useful method for identifying Acanthamoeba organisms in vivo within the corneal epithelium and ante rior stroma.