Abstract

KU LOZANO, Jenny et al. Clinical-epidemiological characteristics and treatment evolution of patients with corneal ulcer. Mem. Inst. Investig. Cienc. Salud [online]. 2019, vol.17, n.1, pp.16-24. ISSN 1812-9528.  https://doi.org/10.18004/mem.iics/1812-9528/2019.017(01)16-24.

Infectious corneal ulcers are an ophtalmological emergency that threatens sight and eyes integrity, causing blindness in 1.5-2 million of people per year. The objective was to determinate epidemiological pattern, risk factors and treatment efficiency in patients with corneal ulcer in Fundacion Vision from 2015 to 2017. This was a prospective cohort study, 53 patients with infectious corneal ulcer were examined in Fundacion Vision from 2015 to 2017, and were followed for at least 4 months. Predominance of males (69.8%), aged 45-65 years (49.1%), married (54.7%), low socio-economic status (56.6%), farmers (26.4%), with a history of corneal trauma (69.8%) or contact lenses users (17%) were found. The etiological agent was bacterial in 49.1% and mycotic in 37.7%; the most accurate treatment for those of bacterial origin was fortified eye drops of Cefazolin+Gentamicin and Natamycin/Fluconazole in case of being fungal. The evolution was favorable in 90.9% and 80.0% of the bacterial and mycotic infections, respectively. High risk groups detected were male patients, farmers, low socio-economic status, with a history of corneal trauma or contact lenses user. On the other hand, the effectiveness of the treatment was greater than 80%, and the infections were mostly caused by bacterial pathogens.

Keywords : corneal ulcer; keratitis; risk factors; treatment; Fundación Vision; Paraguay.

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