CLINICAL-FEATURES AND OUTCOME OF ACANTHAMOEBA-KERATITIS

We retrospectively reviewed 11 patients with culture-proven Acanthamoe ba keratitis who presented at the National Taiwan University Hospital between 1989 and 1996. We assessed predisposing factors, initial diagn osis, clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome. A history of cont act lens-wear, poor contact lens hygiene, intractable eye pain, and ri ng infiltrates in the cornea were the most prominent characteristics a nd clinical manifestations. Acanthamoeba keratitis was often misdiagno sed, with herpetic keratitis (7/11) being the most common initial diag nosis from referring hospitals. These patients were usually treated on the basis of the inaccurate diagnosis for more than 1 month (range 1- 8 mo) before referral. All patients ultimately received penetrating ke ratoplasty because of poor response to delayed medical treatment. We s uggest that inadequate contact lens hygiene may be important in Acanth amoeba keratitis. This condition is often misdiagnosed and, as early d iagnosis is a major factor for successful medical treatment ins uch pa tients, awareness in clinical practice is critical.