title: Epidemiology and etiological diagnosis of infective keratitis in eastern region of Nepal.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to determine the epidemiological characteristics and risk factors predisposing to corneal ulceration in patients presenting to Biratnagar Eye Hospital (Nepal).
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients presenting to Biratnagar Eye Hospital between January 1 and December 31, 2011 with corneal ulceration were retrospectively reviewed. Sociodemographic data and information pertaining to risk factors were recorded, all patients were examined and corneal scrapping and cultures were carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over one year period 1644 patients with corneal ulcer were evaluated, out of which 76.6% of patients were in the age range of 30 to 69 years and 65% of patients had presenting visual acuity less than 3/60. Ocular trauma was the most common cause of keratitis accounting for 60.3% of corneal ulcer and majority of the patients (40%) presented after 2 weeks of symptoms. Among corneal scraping positive cases 1150 (70%) showed fungus, 73 (4.4%) showed bacteria and 20 (1.2%) showed both bacterial and fungus.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Corneal ulcer continues to be one of the leading causes of preventable blindness in this region. Lack of awareness about gravity of this disease, financial constraints and geographic barriers remain the major reasons for delay in seeking proper medical help.
authors.affiliation: Biratnagar Eye Hospiatal, Atithi Marg 17, Biratnagar, Nepal.
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Sitoula
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mahaseth
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Labh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003315:Cornea / Q000382:microbiology; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006782:Hospitals, Special; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009390:Nepal / Q000453:epidemiology; D009885:Ophthalmology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors