Clinical And Microbiological Study On Corneal Ulcer In Patient Attending Eye Opd At Tertiary Care Institute,Vijayapura, North Karnataka

Abstract

Background and objectives: To determine the microorganisms causing corneal ulcer as analyzed by clinical examination and laboratory diagnosis. Methods: A prospective study was carried out on all the patients presenting to the outpatient clinics in the Department of Ophthalmology in Shri B M Patil Medical College and research centre during the period October 2013 to April 2015.After diagnosing infective keratitis clinically, corneal scrapings, staining and cultures were performed along with routine laboratory investigations. Results: Over 18 month’s period, 50 patients with infective keratitis were evaluated. Out of which 25 (50%) cases were of fungal etiology, 7 (25%) were bacterial. Corneal ulceration is a common problem in this part of Karnataka and most often occurs after a superficial corneal injury with organic material. Males were affected more than females and 41-65 age group was affected more. Among laboratory investigations gram stain, Blood and chocolate agar were found to be highly sensitive in identifying bacteria. KOH and SDA were found to be highly sensitive in detecting fungal elements. Conclusion: This study was developed primarily to determine the clinical features, specific pathogens responsible for corneal ulceration in Vijayapur, Karnataka. In this study majority of the cases were Fungal keratitis (50%), followed by bacterial. Streptococcus pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus accounted for majority of bacterial ulcers and Fusarium and Aspergillus species were responsible for most of xi fungal infections. These findings have important public health importance for the treatment, rapid referral, diagnosis, and prevention of corneal ulceration in the developing world