AIM The general aim is to compare laboratory culture and polymerase chain reaction techniques in determining the microbial etiology in corneal ulcers patients at the Guinness Eye Centre, Onitsha, in order to provide a solid database for effective policy formulation on the management of infective corneal ulcers in the hospital and its environs. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 1. To determine the microbial etiology of corneal ulcers at the Guinness Eye Centre, Onitsha using polymerase chain reaction method. 2. To determine the microbial etiology of corneal ulcers at the Guinness Eye Centre, Onitsha using laboratory cultural method. 3. To compare the results of laboratory culture with that of polymerase chain reaction in microbial species identification in corneal ulcer patients at Guinness Eye Centre, Onitsha. 4. To determine the antimicrobial susceptibility (sensitivity) of the isolates from corneal ulcers at Guinness Eye Centre, Onitsha. 5. To make relevant recommendations that will assist in the management of corneal ulcers of microbial etiology in our environment.