Ann Optom Contact Lens.  2026 Mar;25(1):12-18. 10.52725/aocl.2026.25.1.12.

The Korean Contact Lens Study Society Member Survey: Diagnosis and Treatment Trends of Acanthamoeba Keratitis

• Kim J
• Kang MH
• Jun RM

• KMID: 2579340
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.52725/aocl.2026.25.1.12

Abstract

Purpose
This study reports the results of a survey on the diagnosis and treatment status of Acanthamoeba keratitis among members of the Korean Contact Lens Study Society.
Methods
To understand the current trends of diagnosis and treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis in Korea, a 16-question survey was conducted on 1,189 members of the Korean Contact Lens Study Society in November 2024.
Results
In total, 132 members responded to the survey (response rate; 11.1%). Among them, 79 members (59.8%) reported having encountered Acanthamoeba keratitis at least one case annually, whereas nine (6.8%) reported having experienced > 6 cases annually. Ninety-six members (72.7%) reported that they used slit-lamp microscopic findings and clinical symptoms as basis for diagnosis. Regarding first-line topical medication, 0.02% polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) was the most commonly used (63.3%), followed by 0.02% PHMB plus 0.02% chlorhexidine combined therapy (26.3%) and 0.02% chlorhexidine alone (24.6%). In cases of progressive keratitis despite medical treatment, the surgical treatment options included corneal transplantation (58.6%) and corneal epithelial debridement (46%). Corticosteroids were used in 70 patients (61.9%) to manage neovascularization or corneal opacity after keratitis improved (75.9%,); 0.1% fluorometholone (64.7%) was used most frequently. After keratitis improved, 104 patients (94.5%) continued to use eye drops for > 2 months.
Conclusions
The survey showed the diagnosis and treatment trends of Acanthamoeba keratitis in Korea.

Keyword

keratitis; Chlorhexidine; Corticosteroids; Polyhexamethylene biguanide