title: Sterile interface keratitis associated with micropannus hemorrhage after laser in situ keratomileusis.
abstract: Numerous etiologies have been suspected to lead to sterile interface keratitis after laser in situ keratomileusis. This tan interface haze with a rippled appearance has been called Sands of the Sahara. We present 2 cases in which red blood cells entered the interface after a small hemorrhage from peripheral corneal vascularization during the microkeratome pass. Although this bleeding was controlled and all visible blood cells were removed at surgery, both patients developed the appearance of a focal interface keratitis on the first postoperative day.
authors.affiliation: Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201-4197, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: MacRae
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Macaluso
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Rich
mesh_terms: D001251:Astigmatism / Q000601:surgery; D003315:Cornea / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005130:Eye Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009216:Myopia / Q000601:surgery; D014792:Visual Acuity