DR. SHUBHRA ALANKRITA LAKRA

Dr.Somnath Mukhopadhyay

Abstract

Aim: To microbiologically analyse diabetic patients with ulcerative keratitis for effective treatment.

Methods: Retrospective study of 148 diabetic patients(male=63, female=85) with ulcerative keratitis. Using standard technique, ocular specimens were taken and sent for microbiological analysis.

Results: The specimens had 35.14%(52) bacterial and 64.86%(96) fungal etiology. The gram(+)organisms included S.epidermidis(n=9,17.3%), S.aureus(n=7,13.46%), S.pneumoniae(n=5,9.6%), S.pyogenes(n=4,7.7%), Cornybacteria(n=3,5.8%), Nocardia(n=2,3.85%) and Diphtheroids(n=1,1.9%). The gram(-)organisms included Pseudomonas(n=15,28.85%), Klebsiella(n=4,7.7%)and Moraxella(n=2,3.85%). The fungi included Aspergillus(n=55,57.3%), Fusarium(n=26,27.08%), Candida(n=11,11.45%), Curvularia(n=3,3.12%) and Bipolaris(n=1,1.04%).

Conclusion: Appropriate microbiological assessment will enable an organism-specific effective treatment and avoid side-effects of empirical topical therapy in diabetic corneal ulcers.