Acute haemorrhagic keratoconjunctivitis following laser in situ keratomileusis

Nontuberculous (atypical) mycobacterial keratitis after LASIK: current status and clinical implications

PURPOSE

Corneal infection with unfamiliar organisms such as nontuberculous (atypical) mycobacteria after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) can be a significant clinical problem, and mismanagement of such corneal infection in an otherwise healthy, young individual can lead to significant medicolegal issues for the refractive surgeon. Because nontuberculous (atypical) mycobacterial keratitis is the most common infection after LASIK, the refractive surgeon should be aware of all aspects of this dreaded infection to be better prepared to manage such cases.

METHODS

Literature search.

RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS

This article provides a comprehensive compilation of all reported cases of nontuberculous (atypical) mycobacterial keratitis in the English literature and provides some useful recommendations for the clinical management of such corneal infection after LASIK.

Microbial Keratitis After Laser in situ Keratomileusis

PURPOSE AND METHOD

To review the literature on microbial keratitis reported after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

RESULTS

Forty-one eyes have been reported to have microbial keratitis after LASIK. The causative organisms vary from gram positive bacteria to atypical mycobacteria, fungal, and viral pathogens. The infection is usually acquired intraoperatively, but may also be caused by postoperative contamination. A majority of the patients present within 72 hours of the surgery with an acute onset of symptoms. Management of microbial keratitis after LASIK includes aggressive topical fortified antibiotic therapy, irrigation of stromal bed with antibiotic solution after lifting the flap, and sending the scraping of the infiltrate for microbiological evaluation. The keratitis heals with scarring and a best spectacle-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better can be obtained in the majority of the patients.

CONCLUSION

Microbial keratitis is a sight-threatening complication of LASIK.