title: Bacterial keratitis after radial keratotomy.
abstract: The authors identified nine patients with culture-proven keratitis after radial keratotomy (RK). Three patients became infected in the immediate post-operative period, and six patients had delayed-onset keratitis. Gram-negative rods were the predominant pathogens in late-onset keratitis (4 of 6 infections). Gram-positive cocci were implicated in all three postoperative infections. The inferior corneal quadrants were involved in seven of nine patients. Two episodes of late-onset keratitis were associated with contact lens wear. Five of these patients had transverse incisions or greater than eight radial cuts. All six patients regained visual acuity of 20/40 or better. Two additional cases of early-onset and six cases of late-onset keratitis with many features similar to these cases have been reported previously.
authors.affiliation: Houston Veterans Administration Medical Center, Houston.
authors.forename: A Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Matoba
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Wilhelmus
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Hamill
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D003261:Contact Lenses; D005260:Female; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D007646:Keratotomy, Radial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D014792:Visual Acuity