Dr.ankita mahapatra

Dr.Sharmistha Behera, Dr. JAYASHREE DORA

Abstract

AIM: To identify the association of normal conjunctival flora with flora in vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC)

MATERIALS & METHODS:A cross sectional comparative hospital-based study over a period of 2 years involving 132 clinically diagnosed VKC patients and 132 refractive error patients after taking prior consent. VKC patients were inquired about medical, treatment, personal and family history. Routine ophthalmological tests conducted. Conjunctival specimens collected, cultured and identified following standard methods. The association between the presence of bacteria in normal flora and VKC was analysed using Chi square statistic.

RESULT: Staphylococcus aureus was detected more frequently in VKC(32.4% vs 14.7% in normal flora, p= 0.0046) and Staphylococcus epidermidis was decreased in VKC(36.3% vs 53% in normal, p= 0.0156).

CONCLUSION: A possible aggravating role of S.aureus colonization in the occurrence of VKC, and S.epidermidis against the occurrence of VKC were concluded.