Systemic Miltefosine as an Adjunct Treatment of Progressive Acanthamoeba Keratitis.

Purpose: To report our experience with oral miltefosine (MLT) as an adjunct treatment for progressive Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK).

Methods

Retrospective case series of all patients who underwent treatment with oral MLT for AK at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute from 2017 to 2020.

Results

Six females from 16 to 55 years old, with a microbiologic diagnosis of Acanthamoeba, were treated with MLT and standard medical treatment. Four of the six cases deteriorated after initiating treatment and three required a therapeutic keratoplasty. Two patients improved after 1 week of MLT and optical penetrating keratoplasty was performed after clinical resolution. Microbiologic culture of corneal buttons was negative in all cases. All corneal grafts remain clear at last follow-up with best-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better.

Conclusion

Oral MLT may be a viable adjunctive therapy for recalcitrant AK; however, its use may be associated with a severe inflammatory reaction. Further studies are needed to evaluate its efficacy and variable clinical response.