Bilateral Acanthamoeba Panophthalmitis: A rare and unique case

To describe a unique case of bilateral Acanthamoeba panophthalmitis in a 65-year-old male resulting in bilateral enucleation.

A 65-year-old man presented with a 10-year history of bilateral uveitis and scleritis, complicated by cataracts. He had undergone phacoemulsification with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation in both eyes, left corneal transplant and pars plana vitrectomy, all without improvement in his vision and pain. Due to complete loss of vision and severe pain in his both eyes, the patient underwent bilateral enucleation. Pathologic examination of both eyes revealed severe acute, chronic, and granulomatous inflammation with abundant scar formation. Multiple large pre-retinal, choroidal, and vitreal cavitary lesions in both eyes were filled with necrotic debris, containing both Acanthamoeba trophozoites and cysts. These findings were consistent with a well-developed, bilateral Acanthamoeba panophthalmitis.

This unique case represents the first ever reported bilateral Acanthamoeba panophthalmitis and illustrates the extreme complication of ocular Acanthamoeba infection.