A multi-center, cross-sectional study on the burden of infectious keratitis in China.

Bibliographic Details
Title: A multi-center, cross-sectional study on the burden of infectious keratitis in China.
Authors: Xiusheng Song, Lixin Xie, Xiaodong Tan, Zhichong Wang, Yanning Yang, Yuansheng Yuan, Yingping Deng, Shaoying Fu, Jianjiang Xu, Xuguang Sun, Xunlun Sheng, Qing Wang
Source: PLoS ONE, Vol 9, Iss 12, p e113843 (2014)
Publisher Information: Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2014.
Publication Year: 2014
Collection: LCC:Medicine
LCC:Science
Subject Terms: Medicine, Science
More Details: ObjectiveTo understand the prevalence and demographic characteristics of infectious keratitis and infectious corneal blindness.MethodsA multi-center, population-based cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1 to August 31, 2010. A total of 191,242 individuals of all age groups from 10 geographically representative provinces were sampled using stratified, multi-stage, random and systematic sampling procedures. A majority, 168,673 (88.2%), of those sampled participated in the study. The examination protocol included a structured interview, visual acuity testing, an external eye examination, and an anterior segment examination using a slit lamp. The causes and sequelae of corneal disease were identified using uniform customized protocols. Blindness in one eye caused by infectious keratitis was defined as infectious corneal blindness.ResultsThe prevalence of past and active infectious keratitis was 0.192% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.171-0.213%), and the prevalence of viral, bacterial, and fungal keratitis was 0.11%, 0.075%, and 0.007%, respectively. There were 138 cases of infectious corneal blindness in at least one eye in the study population (prevalence of 0.082% [95%CI, 0.068%-0.095%]). Statistical analysis suggested that ocular trauma, alcoholic consumption, low socioeconomic levels, advanced age, and poor education were risk factors for infectious corneal blindness.ConclusionsInfectious keratitis is the leading cause of corneal blindness in China. Eye care strategies should focus on the prevention and rehabilitation of infectious corneal blindness.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 1932-6203
Relation: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0113843&type=printable; https://doaj.org/toc/1932-6203
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113843&type=printable
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113843
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/dc020b76cbb64fd0b5f657fc515750a8
Accession Number: edsdoj.020b76cbb64fd0b5f657fc515750a8
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:19326203
DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0113843&type=printable
Published in:PLoS ONE
Language:English