A Preliminary Report of Predisposing Factors and Predominant Microbiological Diagnosis of Corneal Ulcers Seen at the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Microbial keratitis often results in poor visual outcome despite treatment. A revision of treatment protocol based on local evidence may be required in order to obtain better treatment outcome. Objectives: To determine the predisposing factors and predominant microbiological diagnosis of corneal ulcers seen at the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (FETHA), Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This is a preliminary report of an on-going longitudinal descriptive study of all consenting corneal ulcer patients managed at the FETHA eye clinic over a 4-month period. Information obtained were socio-demographic data, presenting complaints, duration of symptoms prior to presentation, history of preceding trauma, medications used before presentation, presenting and final visual acuity and microbiological diagnosis. Results: A diagnosis of corneal ulcer was made in 8 out of the 852 outpatients seen over the study period giving a hospital prevalence rate of 0.59%. Five patients (62.50%) were males, five (62.50%) were farmers and 4 patients (50%) were above 60 years of age. The microbial diagnoses were bacterial keratitis 37.5% (Staphylococcus aureus), fungal keratitis 25% (Fusarium spp. and aspergillus) and acanthamoeba (25%)