Microbial profile of corneal ulcer in a tertiary eye care hospital at Tamil Nadu

Purpose: To identify the most common etiological agent in corneal ulceration in a tertiary care eye hospital. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 patients with suspected infectious corneal ulcers presenting to ophthalmology out-patient department in Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital were evaluated. Sociodemographic data and information pertaining to risk factors were recorded. All patients were examined and corneal cultures and scrapings were performed. Results: Of 50 patients microbiological etiology was established in 39 cases (78%). Of these 36(72%) were male. Of 39 positive cases 42% were fungi and 36% were bacterial and 22% showed no growth. The most common isolated fungus was fusarium (67%) followed by aspergillus (33%). Streptococci was the most common isolated bacteria. Conclusion: Routine microbiological examination of patients with corneal ulcer is necessary to analyze the changing trends of the etiology.