Bilateral infectious keratitis after laser in situ keratomileusis: a case report and review of the literature.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of bilateral infectious keratitis after simultaneous bilateral laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and to explore appropriate preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic measures.


METHODS
Interventional case report and literature review.


METHODS
A 22-year-old woman had bilateral corneal infiltrates after simultaneous bilateral LASIK. The same set of instruments was used for surgery on both eyes. Corneal scrapings from the edge of the infiltrate and underneath the flap were taken for microscopic examination and inoculation on culture media. Treatment consisted of irrigation of stromal bed with amikacin sulphate (2.5%) solution along with half hourly instillation of amikacin (2.5%) and cefazolin (5%) eye drops.


METHODS
Causative organism and response to medical treatment.


RESULTS
Culture revealed a significant growth of Mycobacterium chelonae from the corneal scrapings of both eyes. There was progressive thinning of corneal stroma in the right eye requiring cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive application. The left eye showed progressive worsening after initial response and required penetrating keratoplasty.


CONCLUSIONS
The risk of bilateral sight-threatening complications must be kept in mind when contemplating bilateral simultaneous LASIK. Nontuberculous mycobacteria should be considered as an etiologic agent in cases of infectious keratitis occurring after LASIK. Microbiology work-up of a specimen collected directly from the site of lesion can help in early diagnosis and institution of appropriate therapy.
Garg
P
P
Cornea Service, L. V. Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, India. prashant@lvpeye.stph.net
Bansal
A K
AK
Sharma
S
S
Vemuganti
G K
GK
D000328:Adult; D000583:Amikacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002437:Cefazolin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003315:Cornea / Q000382:microbiology*; D003487:Cyanoacrylates; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D016926:Mycobacterium chelonae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002511:Cephalosporins; D003487:Cyanoacrylates; D000583:Amikacin; D002437:Cefazolin