Epidemiological Aspects and Microbiological Profile in Patients with Infectious Keratitis

Talpallikar Neha, Ajay Kannur

Abstract: Background: Corneal ulcer is one of the important ophthalmic conditions causing significant morbidity especially in the developing countries. This study was carried out to evaluate the common etiological agents, predisposing factors, age, gender of the cases. Methods: 20 patients attending the ophthalmology department of AL Ameen Medical college between April2023 to September 2023 diagnosed with corneal ulcer were subjected to microbiological intervention. Results: Corneal ulcers were common in males than females. The mean age was 55 yrs. Ocular trauma was the most common cause of the corneal ulcer. Most of the cases were mild to moderate. Most common etiological agent was Fungus in 60% of the cases and Bacterial in 40% of the cases. Aspergillus being the most common etiological agent. Conclusions: This study has revealed that corneal ulcers are caused by both bacterial and fungal agents with fungal preponderance in this geographical area. Early and accurate diagnosis and intensive treatment is the need of hour for saving the eye and preventing the catastrophe of lifelong blindness.

Keywords: Corneal ulcer, Corneal scraping, Culture, Ocular trauma