Corneal and conjunctival infections

Recent advances in the field of infectious conjunctivitis and keratitis include new diagnostic methods, the identification of new pathogens, and novel therapeutic agents. Tandem confocal microscopy has been used to diagnose Acanthamoeba keratitis, and polymerase chain reaction has proven to be a rapid and sensitive technique for detecting specific viral antigens, particularly in cases where cultures yield no growth. Two new antiviral agents, ganciclovir and carbocyclic oxetanocin G, have been shown to be as effective as acyclovir in treating herpetic epithelial disease. The fluoroquinolones, especially ofloxacin, have become the antimicrobial agents of choice in the initial management of selected cases of bacterial keratitis.