Infectious Keratitis: A Neglected Environmental Work Hazard

Philip Aloysius Thomas*
MBBS, MD, PhD, FRCPath, Department of Ocular Microbiology, Institute of Ophthalmology, Joseph Eye Hospital, Tiruchirapalli, 620001, Tamilnadu, India
*Corresponding Author: Philip Aloysius Thomas, MBBS, MD, PhD, FRCPath, Department of Ocular Microbiology, Institute of Ophthalmology, Joseph Eye Hospital, Tiruchirapalli, 620001, Tamilnadu, India.

Published: October 01, 2024

DOI: 10.55162/MCMS.07.241

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Abstract  

Infectious keratitis(infectious corneal ulceration) is the fifth leading cause of preventable blindness globally. However, it continues to be a neglected health problem, and is rarely considered to be an environmental work hazard. This is surprising since 20 % to 92 % of infectious keratitis, especially in Asia, is reported to occur following ocular trauma in workers engaged in agricultural chores or other forms of outdoor manual labour. Reported traumatising agents include mud and dust particles and plant material (leaves, tree branches, paddy grain), cow’s tail, sticks, stones and iron particles. Any form of corneal damage is a potential threat to vision, and unilateral or bilateral corneal blindness resulting from infectious keratitis is a devastating economic and psychological occurrence for any individual. Individuals with unilateral or bilateral corneal opacity arising from infectious keratitis have been found to suffer from disturbances in vision-specific mobility (general function), psychosocial vision and visual symptoms, resulting in a poorer vision-related quality of life than normal individuals. Treatment of infectious keratitis may take several days, hence cost of treatment may be prohibitive. Since prompt prophylactic treatment of corneal abrasions with antibacterial and antifungal ointment has been shown to prevent occurrence of infectious keratitis, committed grassroots workers and a fairly extensive rural health network are needed to make this a reality. Campaigns (either official or by word of mouth) are needed make the general public aware of this condition and its possible prevention.

Keywords: infectious keratitis; ocular trauma; prevention; vision-specific quality of life

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