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Multicenter Study
. 2014 Dec 1;9(12):e113843.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113843. eCollection 2014.

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

Xiusheng Song  1 , Lixin Xie  1 , Xiaodong Tan  2 , Zhichong Wang  3 , Yanning Yang  4 , Yuansheng Yuan  5 , Yingping Deng  6 , Shaoying Fu  7 , Jianjiang Xu  8 , Xuguang Sun  9 , Xunlun Sheng  10 , Qing Wang  11
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

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

Xiusheng Song et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Objective: To understand the prevalence and demographic characteristics of infectious keratitis and infectious corneal blindness.

Methods: A 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.

Results: The 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.

Conclusions: Infectious keratitis is the leading cause of corneal blindness in China. Eye care strategies should focus on the prevention and rehabilitation of infectious corneal blindness.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Distribution of the 10 provinces (municipalities and autonomous regions) in this study.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Geographic distribution of the prevalence of corneal blindness.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Geographic distribution of the prevalence of infectious corneal blindness.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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