Alternative Treatment Approaches in Bacterial Keratitis

Abstract

Microbial keratitis can cause unilateral blindness, which can occur after ocular trauma and subsequent infection, causing unilateral blindness in 1.5 to 2 million corneal ulceration cases globally per year, particularly in developing and tropical countries. The conventional treatment options are largely topical in a loading dose regimen. This chapter enumerates the recent advances in its management. Parenteral, and intracorneal, intrastromal antimicrobial injections are attempted as adjuvants in refractory cases. Novel drug reservoir contact lenses have higher bioavailability by creating an antimicrobial lake with increased tear film exchange through the fenestration. Sustained release intrastromal antimicrobial implants for the treatment of deep corneal infections and abscesses have increased efficacy. An intensive loading dose with topical agents could be reduced with alternative approaches, thus reducing the treatment burden and improving patient compliance.