Padmajothi Mudianur Subrahmanyam1, Anjali Lita Roche2
BACKGROUND
Corneal blindness is a major problem in India, which adds a substantial burden to the community in general and healthcare resources all over the world. In a rural population, corneal blindness is very common and in this study an effort is made to find out the aetiology and clinical features of a corneal ulcer to start the treatment at the earliest.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Source of data is from the patients attending the Outpatient Department of Ophthalmology at M.V.J. Medical College and Research Centre, Hoskote, Bengaluru, during November 2010 to November 2012. Sample size - 60 patients. For all patients, a detailed history is taken and then a detailed examination under slit lamp biomicroscope is carried out. Local and general investigations are done wherever necessary.
RESULTS
Of the 60 patients, 24 (47%) had a history of corneal trauma caused by a variety of objects. The majority of ulcer patients were agricultural workers (51.6%) followed by labourers (20%), students (18.3%) and housewife (8.3%). Out of the 60 cases, 60% belonged to the lower class and 40% to middle class. Of the nontraumatic risk factors associated with the development of corneal ulcerations 38 (73.7%) of all 60 patients in the study had predisposing ocular or systemic conditions.
CONCLUSION
Corneal ulceration is a common problem in this part of Karnataka and most often occurs after a superficial corneal injury with organic material. In this study, majority of the cases were viral keratitis (48.3%), followed by bacterial (25%), fungal (25%) and protozoal (1.6%). Streptococcus Pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus accounted for majority of bacterial ulcers and Fusarium and Aspergillus species were responsible for most of fungal infections.
