title: Risk factors, microbiological findings, and clinical outcomes in cases of microbial keratitis admitted to a tertiary referral center in ireland.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the risk factors for, and to report the microbiological findings and clinical outcomes of, severe microbial keratitis (MK).
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective study of all cases of presumed MK admitted to a tertiary referral center over a 2-year period (September 2001 to August 2003). Data recorded included demographic data, details relating to possible risk factors, results of microbiological studies, clinical findings at presentation, and clinical and visual outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety patients were admitted with a diagnosis of presumed MK during the study period. The mean age of patients was 45 +/- 32 years, and the male to female ratio was 47:43 (52.2%:47.7%). Predisposing risk factors for MK included contact lens wear (37; 41.1%), anterior segment disease (19; 21.1%), ocular trauma (13; 14.4%), systemic disease (5; 5.6%), and previous ocular surgery (1; 1.1%). Cultured organisms included gram-negative bacteria (17; 51.5%), gram-positive bacteria (11, 33.3%), acanthamoeba (2; 6.1%), and fungi (1; 3%). Visual acuity improved significantly after treatment [mean best-corrected visual acuity (+/-standard deviation) at presentation: 0.76 (+/-0.11); mean best-corrected visual acuity at last follow-up: 0.24 (+/-0.07); P < 0.001]. Secondary surgical procedures were required in 18 (20%) cases, and these included punctal cautery (1; 1.1%), tissue glue repair of corneal perforation (2; 2.2%), tarsorrhaphy (9; 9.9%), Botulinum toxin-induced ptosis (1; 1.1%), penetrating keratoplasty (3; 3.3%), and evisceration (2; 2.2%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Contact lens wear remains a significant risk factor for severe MK. MK remains a threat to vision and to the eye, but the majority of cases respond to prompt and appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
authors.affiliation: Waterford Regional Hospital, Waterford, Ireland. aymantalat@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ayman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Saeed
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: D'Arcy
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stack
authors.forename: Louis M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Collum
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Power
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beatty
mesh_terms: D015823:Acanthamoeba Keratitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000628:therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D010343:Patient Admission; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents