Ms. Neena Chris William

Dr.DAVID PUDUKADAN, Dr.Hilda

Abstract

Purpose-To analyse the microbiological profile of recipient button culture and compare the outcome of therapeutic keratoplasty with culture results.

Method- A cross sectional retrospective study was done with 100 patients who underwent therapeutic keratoplasty. Analysis of microbiological profile of button culture was done and outcome after six months of surgery was compared with culture results.

Results-Out of 100 patients, 61 were males and 39 were females and mean age was 55.87±14.88 years. Button culture was negative in 53% (n=53) and was positive in 47% (n=47) and fungal growth was more than bacterial and mixed culture. At 6 months follow up, 98.1% of culture negative patients had eradication of primary infection compared to 85.1% of culture positive patients (p=0.017).

Conclusion- The therapeutic outcome in terms of eradication of primary infection was better in button culture negative patients due to decreased pathogenic load in the button due to prior medical therapy