Cornea
Acanthamoeba Keratitis
Also known as: Acanthamoeba keratitis, AK, contact lens keratitis severe, ring infiltrate keratitis, radial keratoneuritis, amoebic keratitis, contact lens swimming infection, tap water contact lens
Clinical decision support only
OptoGuide™ supports professional judgement and does not diagnose or replace clinician responsibility.
Overview
A rare, sight-threatening corneal infection caused by free-living Acanthamoeba. Contact lens wear, poor lens hygiene, and contaminated-water exposure are major risk factors, although infection can occur without contact lenses. Severe pain disproportionate to the visible signs and radial keratoneuritis are important clues but are not present in every case. Early disease can mimic HSV, bacterial, or fungal keratitis, so suspected cases need prompt specialist assessment.
What OptoGuide™ covers for acanthamoeba keratitis
- Recognition patterns: symptoms, signs, and differentiators
- Don't-miss risks and escalation triggers
- Management tiers with linked Australian therapeutics
- Referral urgency, specialty, and letter drafting