CAUSES OF MICROBIAL KERATITIS IN AND AROUND LATUR, MAHARASHTRA.

ABSTRACT Background: Microbial keratitis is a potentially sight threatening disorder and the leading cause of monocular blindness worldwide. This study was conducted to find out the causes of microbial keratitis in our set up. Patients & Methods: 50 patients with infective corneal ulcer were included in this study from January 2010 to January 2011.Patients were examined under Slit-Lamp; corneal and conjunctival scrapes were obtained and sent for microbiological analysis. Results: In 50 patients with clinically diagnosed microbial keratitis, 32(64%) were males and 18(36%) females. Ocular trauma was the most common cause found in 36(72%) patients. Thirty-six cases showed positive culture. Str.Pneumoniae was the most common organism cultured in 8(44.4%) of the cases. Conclusion: Corneal infections are more common in the middle aged men. Ocular trauma is the leading cause. Str.pneumoniae is the commonest cause of bacterial keratitis and Aspergillus spp is the commonest cause of fungal keratitis.