AK rate linked to contact lens use

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) significantly links to the rate of contact lens use, according to a paper in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Dr Shmuel Graffi et al., Department of Ophthalmology, Baruch Padeh Medical Centre, Israel, distributed a survey questionnaire to laboratory managers in Israel. The team aimed to estimate the incidence of AK in the country for the years 2008-2012. The survey included questions on methods used to diagnose AK and the number of positive and negative culture for Acanthamoeba species performed from the years 2008 to 2012.

It was discovered that six laboratories used non-nutrient agar with Escherichia coli as the culture medium, one laboratory used calcofluor-white staining with fluorescent microscopy and two used PCR for diagnosing AK. Of the patients reviewed, 23 AK cases were identified, giving an estimated incidence of 1/1 668552.

Due to the popularity of contact lenses in AK, the lower than expected incidence rate signaled insufficient awareness of AK in Israel.

The abstract can be read here.