Challenges of corneal infections

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology

Background:

• Ocular infections, including microbial keratitis, are a significant global cause of blindness.
• Infections by fungi, bacteria, or viruses can lead to severe vision loss, corneal scarring, perforation, and endophthalmitis.
• Animal models and clinical studies offer insights into disease pathogenesis and potential new treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review advances in understanding microbial keratitis pathogenesis.
• To explore how animal models and clinical studies inform improved treatment strategies.
• To discuss novel therapeutic approaches, including photoactivated chromophore and antimicrobial corneal cross-linking (PACK-CXL).

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on animal models and clinical studies of microbial keratitis.
• Analysis of emerging treatment modalities and their potential clinical applications.
• Focus on the novel approach of PACK-CXL for bacterial keratitis.

Main Results:

• Animal models have elucidated disease pathogenesis, suggesting new treatment avenues.
• Emerging clinical data supports the efficacy of some novel therapeutic strategies.
• PACK-CXL is presented as a promising novel treatment for bacterial keratitis.

Conclusions:

• Advances in understanding disease pathogenesis are guiding improved clinical treatments for microbial keratitis.
• Novel therapies such as lipid-based treatments, small molecule inhibitors, and microRNA therapies show promise.
• Increased basic and clinical research is recommended to refine the efficacy of procedures like PACK-CXL.