Novel treatments for bacterial keratitis: A review

Bacterial keratitis (BK) is a critical ophthalmic emergency and one of the leading causes of corneal blindness. The current clinical management for BK involves surgical intervention and drug therapy. However, limited availability of surgical options due to lack of expertise, corneal tissue, and necessary infrastructure, among other reasons, poses challenges. Additionally, drug therapy faces limitations in providing sustained treatment for BK due to low bioavailability of drugs and increasing bacterial resistance. In recent years, novel treatments have emerged as potential breakthroughs in overcoming the deadlock in BK management. These include nanotechnology-based ocular drug delivery systems, nano-antibacterial materials, as well as promising treatment methods such as nanoparticles, nanogels, quantum dots, hydrogels, microneedles, plasma therapy, phage therapy, gene therapy and corneal cross-linking, etc. This article provides a comprehensive review on the research progress made with these innovative approaches aiming to offer new insights into BK treatment strategies. We first analyze the epidemiology and predisposing factors of BK. Then, we summarize the disadvantages of traditional treatment methods. Afterwards, we introduce the research progress of novel therapy and elaborate some details of the research. Finally, we give the conclusion and future perspectives. This review serves as a valuable resource for advancing BK treatment strategies by deepening our understanding regarding the advantages offered by new methodologies. It also provides references for future applications and prospective research in this field.