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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
07:28
Corneal Epithelial Abrasion with Ocular Burr As a Model for Cornea Wound Healing
Published on: July 10, 2018
Ocular flora in the severely burned patient
Archives of Ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|August 1, 1978
Summary
Severe thermal burns alter eye bacteria, shifting from normal flora to Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative bacilli. This colonization, often seen by day six, rarely led to severe corneal ulcers despite Pseudomonas aeruginosa prevalence.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
- Burn Medicine
Background:
- Severe thermal burns can compromise ocular surface integrity.
- The normal conjunctival flora plays a role in ocular surface defense.
- Changes in conjunctival flora following burns may increase infection risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamic changes in conjunctival microbial flora in patients with severe thermal burns.
- To identify common bacterial species colonizing the conjunctiva post-burn.
- To assess the correlation between conjunctival colonization and the development of ocular complications.
Main Methods:
- Serial conjunctival cultures were performed over a four-month period.
- Fifty-three patients with severe thermal burns (106 eyes) were included in the study.
- Bacterial isolates were identified and their prevalence analyzed.
Main Results:
- A significant shift in conjunctival flora was observed, moving from Staphylococcus epidermidis and Corynebacterium to Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative bacilli.
- This microbial shift typically occurred between the fifth and sixth postburn days.
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated in 34% of eyes, but infectious corneal ulcers occurred in only two patients.
Conclusions:
- Severe thermal burns induce a pronounced alteration in the conjunctival microbial landscape.
- Early postburn colonization by potentially pathogenic bacteria is common.
- While Pseudomonas aeruginosa is prevalent, severe ocular complications like infectious corneal ulcers are infrequent in this cohort.
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