Microbial keratitis in East Africa: why are the outcomes so poor?

Purpose: Microbial keratitis (MK) is a major cause of blindness in Africa. This study reports the epidemiology, causative organism, management and outcome of MK in people admitted to a large referral hospital in Northern Tanzania, and explores why the outcomes are so poor for this condition.

Methods: A retrospective review of all admissions for MK during a 27-month period.