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

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.