Idiopathic recurrence of diffuse lamellar keratitis after LASIK.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of late recurrence of bilateral diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) after LASIK.


METHODS
A 39-year-old woman presented in the early postoperative period with bilateral DLK after hyperopic LASIK and was treated with topical steroids. One year after and with no obvious cause (idiopathic), recurrence of the same stage (stage III) of disease was observed.


RESULTS
Slit-lamp examination revealed diffuse, multifocal, and granular haze in the interface. The microbiology culture was negative. Confocal microscopy demonstrated multiple activated keratocytes, debris, and inflammatory cells adjacent to the flap interface. After intense treatment with topical corticosteroids, DLK resolved and corneal transparency was achieved with complete restoration of visual acuity.


CONCLUSIONS
Diffuse lamellar keratitis may recur in LASIK patients with previous episodes without an obvious cause (idiopathic). Early diagnosis and treatment with topical corticosteroids can achieve complete resolution without visual loss--even in advanced stages of DLK.
Kymionis
George D
GD
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Crete, Greece. kymionis@med.uoc.gr
Diakonis
Vassilios F
VF
Bouzoukis
Dimitrios I
DI
Lampropoulou
Ileana
I
Pallikaris
Aristofanis I
AI
D000328:Adult; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D006956:Hyperopia / Q000601:surgery*; D007634:Keratitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D012008:Recurrence; D014792:Visual Acuity
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D003907:Dexamethasone