Community practice patterns for bacterial corneal ulcer evaluation and treatment

Jennifer Park, Kim M. Lee, Helen Zhou, Moriah Rabin, Kevin Jwo, William B. Burton, David C. Gritz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To examine current practice patterns in the management of bacterial keratitis among U.S. ophthalmologists and differences in the management and opinions between cornea specialists and non-cornea specialists. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to randomly selected ophthalmologists in July 2011 using an online survey system. It inquired about the number of patients with corneal ulcers seen monthly, frequency of Gram staining and culturing corneal ulcers, maintenance of diagnostic supplies, opinions on when culturing is necessary for corneal ulcers, treatment preferences for different severities of bacterial corneal ulcers, and opinions regarding relative efficacy of fourth-generation fluoroquinolones and fortified broad-spectrum antibiotics. Results: One thousand seven hundred one surveys were distributed, and 486 (28.6%) surveys were returned. A minority of corneal ulcers was Gram stained (23.7%±34.1%, mean±SD) or cultured (35.1%±38.0%), but cornea specialists were more likely to perform both. The most popular antibiotic for the treatment of less severe ulcers was moxifloxacin (55.4%), and the most popular treatment of more severe ulcers was fortified broad-spectrum antibiotics (62.7%). Cornea specialists were significantly more likely than non-cornea specialists to prescribe fortified antibiotics for more severe corneal ulcers (78.1% vs. 53.7%, P<0.0001). A greater number of cornea specialists stated that fourth-generation fluoroquinolones were less effective than fortified antibiotics for the treatment of more severe corneal ulcers (79.6% of cornea specialists vs. 60.9% of non-cornea specialists, P<0.001). Conclusions: Cornea specialists and non-cornea specialists manage bacterial keratitis differently, with cornea specialists more likely to perform diagnostic testing and prescribe fortified broad-spectrum antibiotics for severe bacterial keratitis. Additional prospective studies demonstrating visual outcomes after differential treatment of bacterial keratitis are needed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)12-18
Number of pages7
JournalEye and Contact Lens
Volume41
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 13 2015

Keywords

  • Bacterial keratitis
  • Compounding pharmacy
  • Corneal ulcer
  • Fluoroquinolones
  • Fortified antibiotics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ophthalmology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Community practice patterns for bacterial corneal ulcer evaluation and treatment'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this