Streptococcal keratitis after myopic laser in situ keratomileusis.

Kim,  H M; Song,  J S; Han,  H S; Jung,  H R

doi:1998.12.2.108

Korean J Ophthalmol > Volume 12(2); 1998 > Article

Case Report

Korean Journal of Ophthalmology 1998;12(2):108-111.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.1998.12.2.108 Published online December 30, 1998.

Streptococcal keratitis after myopic laser in situ keratomileusis.

H M Kim, J S Song, H S Han, H R Jung

Department of Ophthalmology, Korea University Medical Center, Seoul

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.