Useful: in patients where bacterial or fungal or acanthamoebic keratitis is suspected. Keratitis, where the cornea is inflamed, is a serious condition which may progress to perforation and blindness if treatment is unsuccessful. Pre-disposing factors include topical corticosteroid use, and contact lens use, or prior ocular disease. 

Collection: These should be collected by an ophthalmic surgeon. Due to the small amount of material collected, sample best inoculated at the bedside so culture plates and slides are available at Princess Alexandra Eye Pavillion for samples coming to the RIE and from the Bacteriology lab at SJH for samples from SJH. If using a slide, mark the slide with a pen circle around the sample, and the patients details as shown above. Innoculate the surface of the agar; if the syringe needle is dug deep into the agar this will delay signs of bacterial growth. 

See document about collection of corneal scrapings.