Bilateral corneal infiltrates after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy

A 26-year-old man developed painless inferior subepithelial infiltrates away from the site of ablation in both eyes after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopia. Clinical characteristics of the corneal infiltrates resembled staphylococcal-immune infiltrates. The condition responded to treatment with topical diluted steroids and antibiotics. There was no residual corneal scarring. The infiltrates did not affect the refractive outcome of the surgery. Recognition of this rare entity will help clinicians avoid aggressive investigative and treatment modalities that can affect the results of PRK.