Intrastromal Corneal Ring Implants Associated Bacterial Infections

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Intracorneal Ring Segment (ICRS) implantation is a surgical procedure for refractive errors and corneal ectatic diseases.
• While generally safe, ICRS procedures carry a risk of microbial infections requiring prompt treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the incidence and resistance patterns of infections associated with Intracorneal Ring Segment (ICRS) implantation.
• To identify common pathogens and understand the timing and causes of ICRS-related infections.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus.
• Studies published between January 2000 and December 2022 were included, adhering to PRISMA guidelines.

Main Results:

• Gram-positive organisms predominated (86%), with Staphylococcus aureus (35.7%) being the most frequent pathogen.
• Early-onset infections are often linked to surgical contamination, while late-onset infections may result from prolonged antibiotic use.
• Staphylococcus aureus infections were associated with poorer vision recovery compared to other bacterial infections.

Conclusions:

• Staphylococcus aureus is a primary cause of ICRS infections, often necessitating surgical intervention with suboptimal visual results.
• Further investigation into antimicrobial ICRS is recommended to enhance vision outcomes.