Open AccessPhotodynamic Therapy for Infectious Keratitis
Author(s) -
Diego Altamirano,
J. Martínez,
Katherine D Leviste,
Jean Marie Parel,
Guillermo Amescua
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
current ophthalmology reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.348
H-Index - 12
ISSN - 2167-4868
DOI - 10.1007/s40135-020-00252-y
Subject(s) - medicine , keratitis , photodynamic therapy , economic shortage , cornea , corneal perforation , antimicrobial , dermatology , surgery , ophthalmology , microbiology and biotechnology , linguistics , chemistry , philosophy , organic chemistry , government (linguistics) , biology
Infectious keratitis is a sight-threatening microbial infection. The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in cases of infectious keratitis has increased the demand for fortified compounded antimicrobial drops. Even with proper medical management, severe cases of infectious keratitis can further evolve into corneal perforation, requiring surgical intervention in the form of keratoplasty to control the infectious process. Due to the invasive nature of the procedure and the shortage of available donor tissue around the world, alternative treatments are needed for the management of progressive infectious keratitis. In ophthalmology, photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been used for numerous applications. PDT with Rose Bengal as a photosensitizer combined with green light optical irradiation (RB-PDAT) is a novel treatment with dual purpose: to arrest the infection from progressing and strengthen the collagen of the cornea. RB-PDAT may be considered as an adjunct therapy in severe cases of infectious keratitis to minimize the need for a therapeutic keratoplasty.