Abstract

Study Design – Retrospective Study
Purpose – To study the epidemiological characteristics of fungal keratitis seen at a tertiary health centre in the barak valley of Assam.
Methods – A retrospective review of all culture-proven fungal keratitis seen over a 2-year period, September 2021 through August 2023.
Results – Fungal etiology were confirmed in 103 (34.4%) of 299 corneal ulcers. Males (67; 65.05%) were more often affected . A large proportion of the patients (69; 66.99%) were in the younger age group (21 to 50 years). A majority (83; 80.58%) came from rural areas , and most patients (64; 62.14%) were farmers . Ocular trauma (95; 92.23%) was a highly significant risk factor and vegetative injuries (63; 61.16%) were identified as a significant cause for fungal keratitis . 16(15.53%) patients had concurrent diabetes mellitus. Incidence of fungal keratitis was higher between June and September.
Conclusion – Principal causes of mycotic keratitis are preventable agricultural injuries.