Posters

Corneal ulceration: predisposing risk factors and management

Poster Details

First Author: C.Skatharoudi GREECE

Co Author(s):    E. Kanonidou   I. Zampros   S. Roumelis   G. Sakkias     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To identify the predisposing risk factors in patients with corneal ulcers and to evaluate the outcome of the therapeutic management.

Setting:

Department of Ophthalmology, ''Hippokrateion'' General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Methods:

The medical records of the patients that were admitted at the Department of Ophthalmology of our Ηospital between 2013-2014 (1 year) were studied retrospectively. Age, gender, socioeconomic status, ophthalmological and medical history, results of the laboratory investigation (corneal scraping), contact lens wear and smoking as potential risk factors were evaluated.

Results:

27 patients (16 male/11 female), with mean age 52 years, all high school graduates, participated in our investigation. None received any therapy prior to visit. Trauma was found in 32% of the patients, 23% were contact lens wearers, 15% had history of herpetic keratatis, 13% had bullous keratopathy and 5% had a history of corneal transplant.28% of the patients were smokers. Ulcers were central in location in 48%. In 13% an organism was identified in corneal scraping culture while all patient responded positively treatment (antibiotics with later addition of corticosteroids) apart from the patient with the keratoplasty history whose eye was subsequently enucleated. There was a positive correlation between trauma and contact lens wear with the gender (male) and age (young patients).

Conclusions:

Trauma and contact lens wear are the most important risk factors for corneal ulcers. Public education about the potential visual loss and the significance of timely and appropriate intervention is recommended as prognosis is usually good. FINANCIAL INTEREST: NONE