Microbiological and Clinical Profile of Patients with Microbial Keratitis Residing In Nursing Homes
- Vishal Jhanji (vishaljhanji{at}gmail.com),
- Marios Constantinou (mariosc{at}unimelb.edu.au),
- Hugh R Taylor (h.taylor{at}unimelb.edu.au),
- Rasik B Vajpayee (rasikv{at}unimelb.edu.au)
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Australia
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Australia
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Australia
- Centre for Eye Research Australia, Australia
- Published Online First 1 July 2009
Abstract
Purpose: To study the microbiological and clinical profile of patients with microbial keratitis living in nursing homes.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of hospital records, from 1996 to 2006, of patients who had microbial keratitis, and were living in nursing homes, was undertaken. Main parameters evaluated were clinical and microbiological profile and final visual outcome.
Results: Of 66 patients included in this study, 39 were females and 27 were males with mean age of 81±11 years (range: 46-97). The major ocular and systemic factors associated with the occurrence of microbial keratitis were the presence of dry eyes (26%) and rheumatoid arthritis (81%) respectively. A positive bacterial culture was obtained in 54 (82%) cases with Staphylococcus being the most prevalent isolate (48%). Seven patients had positive culture for herpes virus. Surgical intervention had to be performed in 31(47%) of cases mainly in the form of botox injection for induction of ptosis (n=9, 27%), keratoplasty (n=8, 24%), tarsorrhaphy (n=5, 15%), or glue (n=3, 9%). The mean pre-treatment and post-treatment visual acuity was counting fingers and 6/60 respectively.
Conclusions: Microbial keratitis in patients living in nursing homes is usually caused by Staphylococcus and is associated with dry eyes and ocular surface disease. Surgical intervention is required in majority of cases with poor visual outcome.
