Epidemiology and etiological diagnosis of infective keratitis in eastern region of Nepal.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the epidemiological characteristics and risk factors predisposing to corneal ulceration in patients presenting to Biratnagar Eye Hospital (Nepal).

METHODS

All patients presenting to Biratnagar Eye Hospital between January 1 and December 31, 2011 with corneal ulceration were retrospectively reviewed. Sociodemographic data and information pertaining to risk factors were recorded, all patients were examined and corneal scrapping and cultures were carried out.

RESULTS

Over one year period 1644 patients with corneal ulcer were evaluated, out of which 76.6% of patients were in the age range of 30 to 69 years and 65% of patients had presenting visual acuity less than 3/60. Ocular trauma was the most common cause of keratitis accounting for 60.3% of corneal ulcer and majority of the patients (40%) presented after 2 weeks of symptoms. Among corneal scraping positive cases 1150 (70%) showed fungus, 73 (4.4%) showed bacteria and 20 (1.2%) showed both bacterial and fungus.

CONCLUSION

Corneal ulcer continues to be one of the leading causes of preventable blindness in this region. Lack of awareness about gravity of this disease, financial constraints and geographic barriers remain the major reasons for delay in seeking proper medical help.