DR. ARAVIND ROY

DR.FERNANDES MERLE, DR.BHUPESH, DR.SAVITRI SHARMA

Abstract

Purpose- Challenges of managing microbial keratitis(MK) during the COVID19 pandemic related lockdown and assess outcomes of treatment at a tertiary cornea service

Methods- Retrospective, non-comparative study

Results-MK was noted in 330 eyes of 330 patients between April and May 2020. Of these 237(71.8%) were males. Median age was 45 years(IQR,33-56). Patients travelling from beyond the district from where the hospital was located comprised of 64.9%(n=214). Fungus was the predominant organism(n=109). At median follow up of 32 days(IQR,9-54), 115(34.8%) patients had resolved, 76(23%) were active, 139(42.1%) were lost to follow up. Therapeutic PKP was deferred in 15 eyes due to lack of corneas. Sixty six patients were non-compliant of which 59 could not follow appointment schedule due to travel restrictions

Conclusions-. The COVID19 pandemic and the ensuing impediments to travel for access to healthcare affected compliance to treatment of ocular emergencies such as microbial keratitis