Amebic keratitis is a rare infection of the cornea (the clear layer in front of the iris and pupil of the eye) caused by Acanthamoeba species, free-living amebas. It usually occurs in people who wear contact lenses.
Amebic keratitis causes painful sores on the cornea, and vision is usually impaired.
Doctors take a sample of tissue from the cornea to be examined and cultured.
To help prevent this infection, people should keep their contact lens in a sterile solution and should not wear contact lenses while swimming, in hot tubs, or when taking a shower.
(See also Overview of Parasitic Infections.)
Free-living amebas are protozoa (single-cell infectious organisms) that live in soil or water and do not need to live in people or animals. Although they rarely cause human infection, certain types of these amebas can cause serious, life-threatening brain infections in addition to amebic keratitis.
Amebic keratitis may be progressively destructive. Most (85%) infected people wear contact lenses. Infection is more likely if lenses are worn during swimming or if lens cleaning solution is unsterile. Some infections develop after the cornea is accidentally scratched.
Symptoms of Amebic Keratitis
Typically, a painful sore develops on the cornea. Symptoms of amebic keratitis include eye redness, excess tear production, sensation of a foreign body, and pain when the eyes are exposed to bright light. Vision is usually impaired.
Diagnosis of Amebic Keratitis
Examination and culture of a sample taken from the cornea
To diagnose amebic keratitis, doctors take a sample of tissue from the cornea to be examined under a microscope and cultured.
Treatment of Amebic Keratitis
Antibiotics
An eye doctor (ophthalmologist) should promptly start treatment of amebic keratitis. Early, superficial infection can be treated more easily. If sores are superficial, doctors use a cotton-tipped applicator to remove infected and damaged cells.
Doctors treat amebic keratitis with the following antibiotics applied as eye drops for 6 months to a year:
Propamidine or hexamidine
These medications are applied every hour or two when treatment is started.
Treatment is intensive the first month, then gradually decreased as healing occurs. Treatment often lasts 6 to 12 months. If treatment is stopped too soon, the infection is likely to recur. Corticosteroid eye drops should not be used.
Surgery to repair the cornea (keratoplasty) is rarely needed unless diagnosis and treatment are delayed or drug treatment is ineffective.
Prevention of Amebic Keratitis
To help prevent amebic keratitis, people who wear contact lenses should
Clean and store their contact lenses following the recommendations of eye care providers and manufacturers
Wash their hands thoroughly before handling contacts
Keep storage solution fresh, not reused, and not topped off
NOT use a homemade solution or tap water
NOT wear contact lenses while swimming, in hot tubs, or when taking a shower
More Information
The following English-language resource may be useful. Please note that The Manual is not responsible for the content of this resource.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Basics of Parasitic/Amebic Keratitis
