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Ophthalmology and Allied Sciences 4(2):p 97-103, May - August 2018. | DOI: DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/oas.2454.7816.4218.8
Original Article
Spectrum of Corneal Ulcers: A Descriptive Study
N. Lakshmi Chowdary, Professor and Head, Department of Ophthalmology NRI Academy of Sciences, Chinakakani Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh 522503, India , N. Lakshmi Chowdary1 , T. Pavani2
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Ophthalmology and Allied Sciences 4(2):p 97-103, May - August 2018. | DOI: DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/oas.2454.7816.4218.8
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Abstract
Introduction: Corneal ulcer is one of the most common causes of prolonged ocular morbidity and visual impairment in our country. While cataract remains the major cause of reversible visual loss, diseases of the cornea are emerging as an important cause of visual impairment. Corneal lesions were found to be responsible for 9% of all blindness in our country, in a recent national survey by government of India.1 The reported incidenceofcorneal ulceration in South India is 1130 per million population. Objectives: To know the etiology of corneal ulcers based on laboratory investigations done in our hospital regarding the type of pathogen and to determine the most common predisposing factor for corneal ulceration. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study included fifty patients attending Ophthalmology Outpatient Department in NRI medical College and Hospital with corneal ulcers during a period of one year i.e. July 2016 to June 2017. They were examined by slit-lamp and corneal scrapings were performed for cultures and smears by using standard protocols. Results: Corneal ulcers are more common inrural
population in the age group of 41-60 years. Males are most commonly affected than the females. In 88% patients predisposing factors like injury with vegetative matter, animal material and stone are present. Most of the corneal ulcers are peripherally located and up to mid-stromal involvement. 64% patients had only fungal positive, 30% patients had only bacteria positive and 3 cases were identified as viral corneal ulcers by clinical examination. Among 50 patients 47 patients (94%) healed with corneal opacity. Conclusion: Most of the corneal ulcers are seen in the rural population especially farmers who have trauma to the eye with vegetative matter. In this study Fusarium was the most common species among the culture positive cases followed by Aspergillus species among the fungi. Among the bacteria Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most common species followed by Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas
species.
Keywords: Corneal Ulcer; Keratitis; Corneal Scrapings; Culture; Bacteria; Fungi.
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DOI: DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/oas.2454.7816.4218.8
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