Keywords
Bacterial keratitis
Fungal keratitis
Keratitis
Traditional eye medicine
Uganda
How to Cite
Abstract
Objective: To determine factors associated with poor presenting vision among patients with microbial keratitis
in Uganda.
Design: Retrospective audit study.
Methods: This was a study of patients presenting with microbial keratitis at the two main eye units in Southern
Uganda in the year 2015. Information on time to presentation, treatment history, use of traditional eye medicine,
trauma and presenting final visual acuity was collected. Factors associated with a poor presenting vision in a
regression model were analysed.
Results: There were 273 cases during the year 2015. The median presentation time was 7 days from onset
(IQR 2-21, total range 0-366 days). Trauma was reported in 59/88 (67%) patients and 69/162 (43%) reported
using traditional eye medicine. Visual acuity was reported in only 216/273 cases at presention. Visual acuity at
presentation of less than 6/60 (severe visual impairment) was strongly associated with the use of traditional eye
medicine (OR 5.13, 95%CI 2.17–12.1, p=0.001) and distance from the eye hospital (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03,
p=0.002).
Conclusion: This audit highlighted the role of use of traditional eye medicine and long distance from the eye
hospital in contributing to poor presentation among patients with microbial keratitis in Uganda.
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