Infectious crystalline keratopathy following trabeculectomy and low-dose topical steroids

A case of infectious crystalline keratopathy in a patient who had undergone trabeculectomy without 5-fluorouracil is described. Chronic low-dose topical steroids were employed. Crystalline keratopathy occurring in this setting has not been previously described. A 73-year-old diabetic women presented with feathery crystal-like corneal infiltrates. These were cultured and treated with antibiotics based on the sensitivities. The cultures showed a nutritional variant of Streptococcus that was difficult to grow on routine culture plates. It was sensitive to vancomycin. Resolution of the infection occurred with topical treatment. Infectious crystalline keratopathy is a rare but classical corneal infection. The microbiological characteristics that give rise to its clinical appearance and laboratory characteristics are discussed. A rationale for diagnosis and treatment is suggested.