• P Kosrirukvongs, D Wanachiwanawin, and G S Visvesvara.
• Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
• Ophthalmology. 1999 Apr 1; 106 (4): 798-802.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of chlorhexidine solution in the treatment of patients with Acanthamoeba keratitis.DesignProspective nonrandomized study.ParticipantsFive patients infected with culture-proven Acanthamoeba keratitis.InterventionChlorhexidine solution was used hourly on six eyes and gradually reduced to four times a day after 1 month. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 10 months (mean, 4 months).Main Outcome MeasuresSeverity of symptoms and signs, time for healing, and final visual acuity.ResultsClinical results in four patients showed improved visual acuity, with a rapid recovery within 1 week. No adverse drug reaction was encountered, but one patient with a perforated ulcer developed glaucoma. Eighty-three percent of 6 eyes were medically cured with chlorhexidine and recovered visual acuity 6/18 or better. Four of five patients improved within 3 weeks, with resolution of infiltration and healing of epithelial defects. By 2 to 3 weeks, visual acuity 6/18 or better had improved in four (66.7%) of six eyes and recovered 6/6 in two eyes (33.3%). Bacterial coinfection occurred in one eye.ConclusionChlorhexidine dramatically hastened clinical improvement in all eyes and is a successful medical therapy that has excellent results in patients who are diagnosed early.

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