Non-antibiotic management of bacterial keratitis

Bacterial keratitis (BK) is a common subtype of infectious keratitis, the most common cause of corneal blindness globally. While antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment for BK, numerous nonantibiotic treatments and adjuncts have emerged in recent years. These include, but are not limited to, collagen cross-linking, phototherapy, immunomodulators, and various forms of transplantation. The purpose of this work is to provide a comprehensive summary of the current literature, highlight promising areas of progress, and identify gaps and areas for further work in the management of BK. With rising resistance to antibiotics, this review echoes and emphasizes the call to study and establish alternative and adjunctive strategies for BK treatment.