Elsevier

Ophthalmology

Volume 110, Issue 4, April 2003, Pages 743-747
Ophthalmology

Infectious keratitis after photorefractive keratectomy

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0161-6420(02)01936-XGet rights and content

Abstract

Purpose

To elucidate risk factors, microbial culture results, and visual outcomes for infectious keratitis after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK).

Design

Multicenter, retrospective chart review, case report, and literature review.

Methods

The records of 12 patients with infectious keratitis after PRK were reviewed.

Main outcome measures

Causative organism, response to medical treatment, and visual outcome.

Results

Infectious keratitis developed in 13 eyes of 12 patients after PRK. Organisms cultured were Staphylococcus aureus (n = 5), including a bilateral case of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus epidermidis (n = 4); Streptococcus pneumoniae (n = 3); and Streptococcus viridans (n = 1). Four patients manipulated their contact lenses, and 2 patients were exposed to nosocomial organisms while working in a hospital environment. Prophylactic antibiotics used were tobramycin (nine cases), polymyxin B-trimethoprim (three cases), and ciprofloxacin (one case). Final best spectacle-corrected visual acuity ranged from 20/20 to 20/100.

Conclusions

Infectious corneal ulceration is a serious potential complication of PRK. Gram-positive organisms are the most common pathogens. Antibiotic prophylaxis should be broad spectrum and should include gram-positive coverage.

Section snippets

Materials and methods

A retrospective chart review took place of 3 referral cornea and refractive disease practices. All charts were reviewed, surgeons were questioned, and patients were interviewed for risk factors related to infectious keratitis. All patients underwent microbial culturing and sensitivity testing, were treated with fluoroquinolones, fortified antibiotics, or both, and were followed up for a minimum of 4 months.

Results

Bacterial keratitis developed in 13 eyes of 12 patients, with a mean age of 28.4 years, after PRK, and these patients were followed up for a minimum of 4 months (Table 1). Eight patients sought treatment on the first postoperative day, 3 patients sought treatment on the second postoperative day, and one patient sought treatment on the third postoperative day. Six ulcers developed in the right eye, 5 ulcers developed in the left eye, and bilateral corneal ulcerations developed in a single

Case report

A 26-year-old female medical resident with a refraction of −7.00 in the right eye and −6.75 in the left eye underwent bilateral PRK. After surgery, the patient received one drop of tobramycin 0.3% solution in both eyes and proparacaine 0.5% topical anesthetic. In both eyes, the PRK was uneventful, and after the PRK, the patient was fit with a bandage soft contact lens and was given tobramycin 0.3%, fluorometholone 0.1%, and diclofenac sodium 0.1% 4 times daily. The patient was sent home with

Discussion

Infectious keratitis is a potentially devastating complication of PRK. The predisposing risk factors for infectious keratitis are breakdown of the barrier function of the corneal epithelium and the use of a bandage contact lens on an extended-wear basis.14 In addition, the use of topical steroids to control wound healing may suppress the ability of the immune system to fight infection.

Although laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) has surpassed PRK as the most prevalent form of refractive

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    Manuscript no. 220109

    Supported in part by the Lions Eye Bank of Long Island, New York.

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