Introduction:

it is estimated that in developed countries 75,000 cases of corneal ulcers occur and in developing countries the cases reach 1,5 million annually.

Objective:

to characterize clinical and epidemiologically corneal ulcers in patients attending the ophthalmology service at Comandante Pinares General Hospital, San Cristobal municipality, Artemisa province.

Methods:

an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study, in patients attending the Ophthalmology service at Comandante Pinares Hospital, San Cristobal municipality, Artemisa province, from March 1 to December 31, 2020. The target group comprised 98 patients, working with the totality of the cases. The study of the clinical histories allowed obtaining the variables studied. Descriptive statistical methods were used for their presentation. Medical ethical principles were met.

Results:

patients between 40 and 59 years old (43,9 %) and male (80,6 %) predominated. Ocular pain was present in all patients (100 %). Trauma (38,8 %) and corticosteroid use (30,6 %) were the main risk factors. Ulcers of fungal origin predominated (50 %). The number of patients with vision in light-perceiving fingers was reduced after treatment (40 % before and 20 % after).

Conclusions:

middle-aged patients with risk factors such as ocular trauma and the use of systemic corticosteroids are prone to corneal ulcer of fungal origin, so it is necessary from the primary health care level to carry out educational activities in relation to this condition. It is important to transfer them quickly for timely treatment and to avoid complications.

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