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Corneal infiltrates after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy and LASIK
Giselle C de Oliveira1, Helena P Solari, Fabiano B Ciola
1Sector of Refractive Surgery, Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of São Paulo, Paulista School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
Purpose:
To determine the frequency and clinical characteristics of corneal infiltrates after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and to evaluate the efficacy of treatment.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed the records of 8508 eyes treated with PRK or LASIK in a university-based clinic for the correction of refractive errors for 60 days postoperatively.
Results:
Corneal infiltrates were observed in 35 (0.8%) of 4492 PRK-operated eyes and in 4 (0.1%) of 4016 LASIK-operated eyes. The mean time of diagnosis was 5.46 days. Among the 39 eyes with infiltrates, 10 (9 PRK, 1 LASIK) had culture-verified infectious keratitis. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was the most frequently isolated bacterium (50%), followed by S aureus (20%), Corynebacterium xerosis (10%), Streptococcus viridans (10%), and an unidentified gram-positive coccus (10%). Final visual acuity of > or = 20/30, without correction, was achieved in 79.5% of the 39 eyes.
Conclusions:
Corneal infiltrates occurred in 0.8% of PRK eyes and 0.1% of LASIK eyes. Bacterial smears were positive for several eyes. In all cases, prompt treatment was responsible for good visual outcome.
