Abstract

To determine the incidence and associated risk factors for ulcerative keratitis in northern California.In this large-population, retrospective, cohort study, all medical records with diagnosis coding for corneal ulcers during a consecutive 12-month period were reviewed. Incidence rates were calculated using a dynamic population model. Multivariate relative risk regression was conducted to evaluate potential risk factors for ulcerative keratitis.Within the target population of 1 093 210 patients, 302 developed ulcerative keratitis. The incidence of ulcerative keratitis was 27.6 per 100 000 person-years (95% confidence interval, 24.6-30.9). The incidence of corneal ulceration in contact lens wearers was 130.4 per 100 000 person-years (95% confidence interval, 111.3-151.7), with an adjusted relative risk of 9.31 (7.42-11.7; P < .001) compared with non-contact lens wearers, who had an incidence of ulcerative keratitis of 14.0 per 100 000 person-years (11.7-16.6). Seven of 2944 people known to be infected with human immunodeficiency virus developed ulcerative keratitis, with 5 being contact lens wearers. The incidence of ulcerative keratitis in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients was 238.1 per 100 000 person-years (95% confidence interval, 95.7-490.5), with an odds ratio of 9.31 (7.42-11.7; P < .001) compared with human immunodeficiency virus-negative patients, who had an incidence of ulcerative keratitis of 27.1 per 100 000 person-years (24.1-30.3).The incidence of ulcerative keratitis in this population is higher than previously reported. This may be owing to the increasing prevalence of contact lens wear.

View details for Web of Science ID 000280909700010

View details for PubMedID 20697003