Microbial keratitis at extremes of age

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Microbial keratitis is a significant cause of visual impairment globally.
• Extremes of age, namely pediatric and elderly populations, may experience unique risk factors and clinical presentations of microbial keratitis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the risk factors, clinical presentation, treatment response, and outcomes of microbial keratitis in pediatric and elderly patients.
• To compare these findings with those in the general adult population.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, nonrandomized, analytical clinical study.
• Patients with microbial keratitis were categorized into pediatric (≤16 years), elderly (≥65 years), and control (17-64 years) groups.
• Data collected included microbiological profile, predisposing factors, clinical presentation, treatment response, and visual outcome.

Main Results:

• Elderly patients presented with more central and severe ulcers, and poorer visual acuity compared to controls.
• Pediatric patients had a lower incidence of fungal keratitis and a higher rate of healing with medical treatment alone.
• Culture positivity rates were similar across all age groups; trauma was a common predisposing factor.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric microbial keratitis is often bacterial and has a better prognosis with medical therapy.
• Elderly patients with microbial keratitis are at higher risk for severe, central ulcers and poor visual outcomes.