Mycobacterium abscessus keratitis after LASIK with IntraLase femtosecond laser.
A healthy 38-year-old woman developed 2 white spots in her left eye 2 weeks after bilateral laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) using the IntraLase femtosecond laser. Initial treatment included levofloxacin 0.5% but was unsuccessful. The surgeon irrigated the interface and repositioned the flap due to a worsened lesion. She was referred to us after the keratitis had not improved. The flap was lifted for collection of the specimen and irrigation of the interface. The keratitis was treated with intensive topical clarithromycin 1%, amikacin 1.25% and oral clarithromycin, which improved her clinical condition. She developed a toxic reaction to amikacin 1.25%, which was replaced by moxifloxacin 0.5%. Mycobacterium abscessus was identified. The keratitis resolved over 2 months. Five months after treatment, the patient had a visual acuity of 20/20 with correction. Nontuberculous mycobacteria should be considered as an etiologic agent, even in cases of infectious keratitis after LASIK using the femtosecond laser.
Chung
So-Hyang
SH
Department of Ophthalmology, Institute of Vision Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Roh
Mi In
MI
Park
Min Soo
MS
Kong
Young Tae
YT
Lee
Hyung Keun
HK
Kim
Eung Kweon
EK
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004867:Equipment Design; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009165:Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*; D009170:Nontuberculous Mycobacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology*