Interface fluid syndrome after small incision lenticule extraction surgery secondary to posner schlossman syndrome - A case report

Purpose

This report describes a case of interface fluid syndrome (IFS) secondary to Posner Schlossman Syndrome (PSS) following small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) surgery.

Case presentation

A 19-year-old male was diagnosed with IFS secondary to PSS in his left eye 1 month after undergoing SMILE. Detailed patient history and clinical findings, auxiliary examination results, and short-term follow-up are reported. In this patient, the IFS was caused by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) due to PSS. Treatment with topical steroids in combination with anti-glaucoma drops led to complete regression of the fluid, and there was no recurrence during a 7-month follow-up period.

Conclusion

IFS is a potential complication of SMILE, and anterior segment ocular coherence tomography (AS-OCT) can definitively diagnose the condition. This case demonstrates that the treatment for IFS should be based on the underlying cause, and requires prompt and vigorous management for resolution.

Interface Fluid Syndrome Masquerading as Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis After Small Incision Lenticule Extraction

A 34-year-old male with no past medical or ocular history underwent bilateral uncomplicated small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). On day 1, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) was 20/25 in the right eye (OD) and 20/20 in the left eye (OS). The intraocular pressure (IOP) was 12 mmHg in both eyes (OU). On day 17, UDVA was 20/70 OD and 20/30+2 OS. Slit-lamp examination (SLE) revealed diffuse 2+ haze at the interface suspicious for diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK). Topical difluprednate was added twice a day (BID). Vision decreased by day 20 with a significant myopic shift and 3+ interface haze OU. A washout of the interface was performed. Topical steroids were increased with oral prednisone. One day after the washout, vision and interface haze improved. On day 3 status post washout, UDVA decreased to 20/70 OD and 20/50 OS. IOP was 42 mmHg OU. A diagnosis of interface fluid syndrome (IFS) was confirmed. All steroids were stopped while adding ocular hypotensive medication. One month later, visual acuity was 20/20 OU with a complete resolution of interface haze. Only a handful of IFS has been documented in SMILE, an incidence that may increase as SMILE becomes more common. Among all SMILE cases, IFS was most commonly associated with steroid-induced ocular hypertension and a myopic shift around 21 days postoperatively. A fluid cleft at the interface may not always be visible with SLE, masquerading as DLK. Scheimpflug densitometry and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) may aid in quantifying interface edema needed to confirm a diagnosis when IOP is unclear. A corneal washout can immediately improve corneal edema, but the preferred treatment is discontinuing all steroid medication and starting glaucoma drops.

Complications of small incision lenticule extraction

The procedure of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) was introduced in 2011, and since then there has been an increase in the number of cases undergoing this procedure worldwide. The surgery has a learning curve and may be associated with problems in the intraoperative and postoperative periods. The intraoperative problems during SMILE surgery include the loss of suction, the occurrence of altered or irregular opaque bubble layer and black spots, difficulty in lenticular dissection and extraction, cap perforation, incision-related problems, and decentered ablation. Most of the postoperative problems are similar as in other laser refractive procedures, but with decreased incidence. The identification of risk factors, clinical features, and management of complications of SMILE help to obtain optimum refractive outcomes.

Corneal densitometry changes in a patient with interface fluid syndrome after small incision lenticule extraction

Background

To report a case of interface fluid syndrome (IFS) following small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) evaluated with corneal densitometry and optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Case presentation

An 18-year-old man reported sudden vision loss 24 days after SMILE procedure. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was 36.3 mmHg (OD) and 36.7 mmHg (OS) by noncontact tonometry. Moderate corneal edema, interface fluid pocket and haze were observed by OCT and confirmed by corneal densitometry values. Discontinuation of steroids and addition of hypotensive medication were offered immediately. The symptoms were cured after the medication. Changes of corneal densitometry were consistent with the clinical course of IFS.

Conclusion

This case illustrates that it is crucial to be aware that a history of SMILE can also cause IFS. Both OCT and corneal densitometry can serve as auxiliary means to evaluate the clinical course of IFS, and appropriate IOP management is an effective approach.