Posters

Candida microbial keratitis in an 18-day-old infant following breast milk instillation in the eye

Poster Details

First Author: K.Rao INDIA

Co Author(s):    S. Natarajan                    

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To report Candida Microbial keratitis in a 18 day old infant following breast milk instillation in the eye.

Setting:

Cornea Cataract and Refractive Surgery Centre, Aditya Jyot Eye Hospital, Mumbai

Methods:

An 18 day old infant presented with a sloughing right eye corneal ulcer due to breast milk inserted in the right eye for conjunctivitis. Corneal transplantation was done for the infant at presentation and excised corneal button was sent for culture.

Results:

Graft culture showed candida. There was a persistent scleral abscess which responded to topical and systemic antifungals.

Conclusions:

The home remedies of putting breast milk in the eye practiced in India are unscientific and can cause potential blindness as in this infant. These practices should be strongly discouraged and condemned.

Financial Disclosure:

None