Context: Corneal blindness is a major challenge faced today in the whole world; corneal ulcers being the most common cause. Bacterial corneal ulcers should be recognized and treated at the earliest as they can lead to permanent sight threatening complications. Aims: To study clinical course, antibiotic sensitivity pattern and treatment aspects of bacterial corneal ulcers. Settings and design: Prospective clinical study carried out at department of Ophthalmology, Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubli. Methods and Material: A prospective clinical study was carried out. All patients attending ophthalmology out patient during the study period of November 2010 to May 2012 with definitive signs and symptoms of corneal ulcers were included in the study. Bacterial corneal ulcers were specifically studied in detail after microbiological evaluation. Statistical Analysis: Data was entered in Microsoft Excel worksheet and analyzed using proportions. Statistical test like chi square test was used wherever appropriate. P value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Majority of ulcers were caused by staphylococcus aureus (33.34%), followed by Pseudomonas (23.81%), Klebsiella (14.29%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (9.52%), alpha hemolytic streptococci (7.14%), beta hemolytic streptococci (4.76%), Streptococci pneumonia (4.76%), E. coli (2.38%). Fluorquinolone monotherapy was used in 64.39% cases. Surgical debridement was done in 76.2%. Most common complication was healed corneal scar in 69.05% of cases. Conclusion: Microbiological evaluation is the most important step in the management of bacterial corneal ulcer.

Keywords: Ulcer; Evaluation; Management; Intervention; Complications.