Ocular microbiology remains an applied science the advancements in molecular biology and the newer technologies pave way for better understanding of ocular diseases Advances in the field of infectious diseases are rapid. Many opportunistic pathogenic agents are increasingly encountered in ocular infections due to widespread use of topical and systemic immunosuppressive agents, increasing numbers of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and with organ transplants who are on immunosuppressive therapy. These opportunistic pathogens also cause ocular infections due to increased use of contact lens. The dreaded infections endophthalmitis following cataract extraction and lens implantation often are caused by opportunistic pathogens.
The acute infections of the external eye are caused by a vivid range of microbiological pathogens encompassing bacteria, viruses and fungi. The most common eye infections include Blepharitis, Styes, conjunctivitis and keratitis. Thus successful management of any infection requires correct identification of the etiological pathogen and further the appropriate choice of the antibiotic. The department aims to identify the pathogens associated with the most common eye infections.