Cross-linking for microbial keratitis.
OBJECTIVE
Microbial keratitis is one of the leading causes of ocular morbidity. The standard treatment consists of antibiotics, which is intensive and is fraught with risks of antibiotic resistance. Corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) has recently been advocated as an adjunctive therapy for management of microbial keratitis. The addition of CXL to ongoing antimicrobial treatment can have a potential effect on overall duration of the disease, need for corneal transplantation, final visual outcome, and long-term impact on drug resistance pattern.


RESULTS
CXL has been used in cases with bacterial, fungal as well as amoebic keratitis. However, so far the reported results have been variable and the evidence is largely anecdotal. The debate over the safety and efficacy of this modality continues especially with regards to its utilization in early phases of the disease when the corneal involvement is limited to the anterior stroma.


CONCLUSIONS
CXL appears to be a promising adjunctive treatment in selective cases of mild to moderate bacterial keratitis. Its efficacy in fungal and amoebic keratitis is questionable. Treatment protocols in microbial keratitis need to be individualized. Long-term, prospective, randomized trials are needed to determine its usefulness in microbial keratitis.
aDepartment of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong bHong Kong Eye Hospital, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China cDr Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India dVision Eye Institute, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, North West Academic Centre eCentre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Tommy C Y
TC
Chan
Tushar
T
Agarwal
Rasik B
RB
Vajpayee
Vishal
V
Jhanji
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000379:methods; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015817:Eye Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000379:methods
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D012256:Riboflavin