Korean J Ophthalmol.  1998 Dec;12(2):108-111. 10.3341/kjo.1998.12.2.108.

Streptococcal keratitis after myopic laser in situ keratomileusis

• Kim HM
• Song JS
• Han HS
• Jung HR

• KMID: 1043974
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.1998.12.2.108

Abstract

A 24-year-old healthy male underwent uncomplicated laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in left eye. One day after the surgery, he complained of ocular pain and multiple corneal stromal infiltrates had developed in left eye. Immediately, the corneal interface and stromal bed were cleared, and maximal antibiotic treatments with fortified tobramycin (1.2%) and cefazolin (5%) were given topically. The causative organism was identified as 'Streptococcus viridans' both on smear and culture. Two days after antibiotic therapy was initiated, the ocular inflammation and corneal infiltrates had regressed and ocular pain was relieved. One month later, the patient's best corrected visual acuity had returned to 20/20 with -0.75 -1.00 x 10 degrees, however minimal stromal scarring still remained. This case demonstrates that microbial keratitis after LASIK, if treated promptly, does not lead to a permanent reduction in visual acuity.

MeSH Terms

Adult
Cornea/surgery
Cornea/microbiology
Corneal Transplantation/adverse effects*
Eye Infections, Bacterial*/etiology
Eye Infections, Bacterial*/diagnosis
Follow-Up Studies
Human
Keratitis/microbiology*
Keratitis/diagnosis
Laser Surgery/adverse effects*
Male
Myopia/surgery*
Streptococcal Infections*/etiology
Streptococcal Infections*/diagnosis
Streptococcus/isolation & purification
Surgical Wound Infection/microbiology*
Surgical Wound Infection/diagnosis
Visual Acuity