Objectives: To review the clinical and microbiological characteristics of bacterial keratitis in our ophthalmology department.

Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of the hospital records of 32 patients presenting with bacterial keratitis were analysed from January 2005 to January 2007.

Results: The mean age of the patients were 53, 6±24, 9 and 52, 25% (18) were older than 65 years. Presenting mean visual acuity was 0, 085±0, 185 log mar and mean final visual acuity was 0, 145±0, 299 log mar. As a major ocular risk factor, trauma was defined in 15, 7% ( 5) patients. An organism was defined in 34, 3% (11) patients. 73% (8) and 27% (3) of the isolates were Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, respectively. Streptococcus species were the most common isolates (7, 64%). Most of the bacterial isolates remained sensitive to currently availableantibiotic preparations. 93, 7% (30) of keratitis healed with therapy and 86, 6% (26) of patients had visual acuity the same or better than the level at admission. 6, 3% (2) had very poor visual outcome and keratoplasty were performed.

Conclusion: Most of our patients with bacterial keratitis were healed with appropriate treatment. Trauma was the most important ocular risk factor. Elder population has an increased risk of developing keratitis.©2008, Firat University, Medical Faculty.