title: Infectious crystalline keratopathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the diagnosis, microbial and pathological features, pathogenesis, and treatment of infectious crystalline keratopathy (ICK).
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the literature on infectious crystalline keratopathy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ICK is an indolent corneal infection in which needle-like, branching crystalline opacities are seen within the corneal stroma, in the absence of appreciable corneal or anterior segment inflammation. In most cases it occurs as a complication of corneal surgery and keratitis, with an alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus being the cause of infection. Discontinuation of topical steroids with aggressive antibiotic therapy may suffice, but continued infection, vascularization, or scar formation may affect visual acuity and require penetrating keratoplasty.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Vajpayee
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pushker
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vajpayee
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D015821:Eye Infections, Fungal / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids