THE ROLE OF SMEAR, CULTURES AND ANTIBIOTIC SENSITIVITY TESTING IN THE MANAGEMENT OF INFECTIOUS KERATITIS

This study is done to examin the role of smears, cultures, and sntibiotic sensitivity testing in the treatment of infectious keratitis. A prospective study was performed for 100 patients in Rasool Akram hospital ophthalmology department. After routine examination by slit lamp, evaluation of corneal epithlium, stromal edema and infiltration, AC reaction or hypopyon, all underwent corneal scrapings for staining and cultures. Patients were treated with fortified cefazolin and fortified gentamicin. 50 patients (50%) improved without requiring a modification, but in 4 patients (4%) required a chang in treatment base on cultures and antibiotic sensitivity testing. In 43 patients (43%) corneal surgery was perform due to poor response to medication (conj flap in 36 patients and corneal graft in 7 patients). 7 patients (7%) underwent eviseration due to perforated glob and NLP vision at the time of admition. Based on result of this study most bacterial corneal ulcers resolved with broad spectrum emperical antibiotics and sensitivity testing that might be considerd includemore sever or suspected non-bacterial ulcers.