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Subconjunctival 5-fluorouracil and herpes simplex keratitis.
Ophthalmic Surgery
|February 1, 1991
Summary
Herpes simplex keratitis developed after filtering surgery with subconjunctival 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The keratitis healed despite continuing 5-FU, suggesting this treatment may not need to be stopped for such inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Virology
- Surgical Complications
Background:
- Filtering surgery is a common glaucoma treatment.
- Subconjunctival 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is sometimes used post-surgery to prevent scarring.
- Herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) is a viral eye infection that can cause inflammation.
Observation:
- A patient developed HSK during the post-operative period after filtering surgery.
- Subconjunctival 5-FU was being administered concurrently with the HSK onset.
- The HSK resolved within four days without discontinuing the 5-FU treatment.
Findings:
- This case suggests that HSK developing after filtering surgery with 5-FU may not necessitate immediate cessation of 5-FU.
- The resolution of keratitis while 5-FU treatment continued challenges the conventional approach.
Implications:
- Ophthalmologists may reconsider the routine discontinuation of 5-FU in cases of post-filtering surgery inflammation.
- Further studies are warranted to confirm the safety and efficacy of continuing 5-FU during HSK in this context.
- This finding could potentially improve patient management and reduce treatment interruptions.