B. V. S. Ratna Kumari1, K. V. Madusudana Rao2, M. Raja Rajeswari3
AIM
To analyse the epidemiological characteristics, microbiological profile and treatment outcome of patients with microbial keratitis.
SETTINGS AND DESIGN
This was a prospective study done on infective keratitis patients who attended OPD in our teaching institute over a period of one year. The purpose of our study was to assess the risk factors, clinical and visual outcome of treatment of microbial keratitis.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
136 patients who were clinically diagnosed as infective keratitis presenting between January 2014 and January 2015 were included in our study. Standard microbiological evaluation of their corneal scrapings was done and visual and clinical outcome of treatment was assessed.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
Statistical analysis of the data was performed using Chi-square test. Odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were calculated wherever essential.
RESULTS
In our study, fungal keratitis was predominant (65.44%) as compared to bacterial keratitis. Trauma was the commonest predisposing factor in fungal keratitis patients (80%) and co-existing ocular disease was commonest predisposing factor for bacterial keratitis (53.19%). Majority of fungal infections were caused by Fusarium species (39.72%). The commonest bacterium isolated was Staphylococcus aureus (36.36%). The incidence of complications was higher in fungal keratitis group (34.83%) as compared to bacterial keratitis. Corneal scar was the final clinical outcome in 74.15% and 78.72% of fungal and bacterial keratitis patients respectively.
