BMJ 1994;309:1019 (15 October)

Letters

Acanthamoeba keratitis

EDITOR, - Recent reports of acanthamoeba keratitis in people who wear soft contact lenses in India12 highlight the likely consequences of increased wear of such lenses in Asia without associated rigorous attention to their cleaning and disinfection. This may lead to more patients developing acanthamoeba keratitis, as has been recorded in Europe and the United States since 1975.

The similarity in presentation between acanthamoeba keratitis and keratitis with a herpetic or possible fungal aetiology is well known, but the correct diagnosis is often missed; acanthamoeba keratitis should always be considered in young adults who wear contact lenses. The infection initially presents as epithelial disease, including dendritiform lesions, together with excessive pain. This is due to invasion of corneal nerves, which can be seen with a slit lamp after several weeks.

Despite claims to the contrary, water that is not sterile should never be used to clean contact lenses. Like Sarman . . . [Full text of this article]


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Relevant Article

Acanthamoeba keratisis
S Singh and MP S Sachdeva
BMJ 1994 309: 273. [Extract] [Full Text]

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