Herpetic and bacterial corneal ulceration in Kuwait

During a five-year survey, 228 patients with bacterial corneal ulcers and 129 patients with herpetic corneal ulcers were seen at the Eye Department, Ibn Sina Hospital, Kuwait. The most common isolate [64%] in the group with bacterial corneal ulcers was staphylococcus epidermidis [64%]. Marginal corneal ulcers secondary to chronic Staphylococcus infections were frequently seen while those secondary to streptococcus, pneumococcus, or Pseudomonas infections were more likely to be centrally located. Hypopyon was common in cases with both gram positive cocci and gram negative bacilli whereas perforation was associated only with gram negative bacilli. Herpetic corneal ulcers were also common. They are associated with relatively lower rates of recurrence [46%], severe visual damage [50%], and postulcerative scarring [70%]. In cases with bacterial ulceration the rates were 60%, 61%, and 75% respectively. The most effective drugs were found to be cephaloridine, gentamicin, and polymyxin