Nontuberculous (atypical) mycobacterial keratitis after LASIK: current status and clinical implications.
OBJECTIVE
Corneal infection with unfamiliar organisms such as nontuberculous (atypical) mycobacteria after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) can be a significant clinical problem, and mismanagement of such corneal infection in an otherwise healthy, young individual can lead to significant medicolegal issues for the refractive surgeon. Because nontuberculous (atypical) mycobacterial keratitis is the most common infection after LASIK, the refractive surgeon should be aware of all aspects of this dreaded infection to be better prepared to manage such cases.


METHODS
Literature search.


CONCLUSIONS
This article provides a comprehensive compilation of all reported cases of nontuberculous (atypical) mycobacterial keratitis in the English literature and provides some useful recommendations for the clinical management of such corneal infection after LASIK.
John
Thomas
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Loyola University at Chicago, Maywood, IL, USA. cornea999@aol.com
Velotta
Emily
E
D000904:Antibiotics, Antitubercular / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003315:Cornea / Q000382:microbiology; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D009170:Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D015995:Prevalence; D054140:Refractive Surgical Procedures; D012086:Reoperation
D000904:Antibiotics, Antitubercular