Application of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of bacterial keratitis

Photodynamic therapy(PDT) has been widely used in dermatology, dental, oncology and other fields. It has a certain killing effect on pathogenic microorganisms, and can be applied to infectious diseases. In the treatment for infectious corneal diseases, PDT has been found with significant killing effect on bacteria in vitro and in vivo. It inhibits bacterial growth by combining certain wavelengths of light waves with specific photosensitizers, demonstrating certain therapeutic effects on bacterial keratitis. Different wavelengths of light source combined with different chemical ingredient photosensitizers have different effects on bacterial keratitis. This method can also partially solve the problem of bacterial resistance in clinical treatment.(Int Rev Ophthalmol, 2019, 43: 145-150) Key words: bacterial keratitis; photodynamic therapy; photosensitizer; light wavelength