How Do You Prefer to Treat Bacterial Keratitis?

It appears that ophthalmologist preferences to treating bacterial keratitis might be tied to where they practice, according to an article summarizing recent survey results.

Investigators found that 8 in every 10 respondents from the US preferred fortified antibiotics, vs just 3 in every 10 respondents from outside the US. Also, within the US, there was a 50-50 split between using fluoroquinolones and compounded antibiotics as first-line treatment.

“The take-home message is that whatever you personally decide to do for your first-line antibiotic choice, there is ample evidence in the literature and in the community that either of the choices are adequate,” said lead author Julie Schallhorn, MD, assistant professor of ophthalmology, University of California San Francisco. She added that for patients with a history of hospitalization, compounded antibiotics are likely the best option.

You can read more here.

Lipner M. Differing views on bacterial keratitis treatment. EyeWorld July 2018.