DR. ANITT K VARGHESE

DR. ANITHA VENUGOPAL, DR. MEENAKSHI RAVINDRAN, DR. ADITYA GHORPADE

Abstract

AIM: To study clinical features, microbiological profile, risk factors and visual outcome of pediatric infective keratitis.

METHODOLOGY: A prospective hospital-based study involving 76 eyes of 73 patients under the age of 16 years who presented with corneal ulcer or infiltration for a period of 15 months and followed up for 3 months. All patients underwent detailed slit-lamp examination and corneal scrapings for microbiological examination. Patients were treated based on the microbiological reports.

RESULT: Out of 73 patients, Males (60.3%) were more commonly affected. 40.9% had a previous history of trauma/injury. Fusarium species (67.8%) were the most common pathogen isolated. 97.4% of eyes responded well with topical medical treatment alone.

CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis, identifying predisposing factors and etiological microbial organisms, intensive drug therapy, and timely surgical intervention can prevent profound visual morbidity in children with microbial keratitis.