Postrefractive infectious keratitis: prevention, diagnosis, management, and prognosis

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Infectious Diseases
• Surgical Complications

Background:

• Infectious keratitis is a rare but serious complication following elective procedures.
• The presentation of infectious keratitis varies based on the specific refractive procedure performed.
• Atypical microorganisms can lead to poor responses to empiric therapy and vision impairment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To improve outcomes from elective procedures by preventing sight-threatening complications.
• To review advancements in anti-infective prophylaxis for infectious keratitis.
• To highlight the importance of microbial identification and tailored therapy.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent advancements in anti-infective prophylaxis.
• Analysis of diagnostic and empiric management strategies.
• Correlation of keratitis patterns with refractive procedures and causative organisms.

Main Results:

• Advances in prophylaxis have shifted the spectrum of causative organisms.
• Improved diagnostic and empiric management strategies are now available.
• Microbial identification is critical for effective treatment of infectious keratitis.

Conclusions:

• Tailored therapy based on microbial identification is essential for managing infectious keratitis.
• Prophylactic strategies and diagnostic approaches have evolved.
• Preventing infectious keratitis significantly improves outcomes after elective procedures.