title: Late onset diffuse lamellar keratitis as a result of the toxic effect of Ecballium elaterium herb.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report a case of late onset diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) 11 months after LASIK due to Ecballium elaterium exposure.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 25-year-old man underwent bilateral LASIK. No complications were observed during the early postoperative period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven months after LASIK surgery, grade II DLK was diagnosed after an Ecballium elaterium herb seed burst and splashed into the patient's left eye. Topical steroid treatment was administered and DLK healed in 2 weeks without complication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although DLK typically develops in the early postoperative period, it could occur months after surgery. Treatment should begin as soon as DLK is diagnosed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Nisa Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. ikocak@ttnet.net.tr
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Koçak
authors.forename: Yunus
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Karabela
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karaman
authors.forename: Faruk
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kaya
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology*; D028462:Cucumis / Q000737:chemistry*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010936:Plant Extracts