Herpes simplex keratitis following argon laser trabeculoplasty

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Glaucoma treatment
• Ocular infectious diseases

Background:

• Argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT) is a common procedure for managing open-angle glaucoma.
• While generally safe, various complications associated with ALT have been documented.
• Herpes simplex virus (HSV) can cause ocular infections, including keratitis.

Observation:

• A patient undergoing ALT experienced a recurrence of Herpes simplex keratitis.
• This recurrence was observed to be triggered by the ALT procedure.

Findings:

• This case represents the first documented instance of ALT inducing Herpes simplex keratitis recurrence.
• The findings suggest a potential link between ALT and reactivation of latent HSV in the cornea.

Implications:

• Ophthalmologists should be aware of this potential complication when considering ALT for glaucoma patients with a history of HSV.
• Further investigation may be warranted to understand the mechanism by which ALT triggers HSV recurrence.
• This highlights the importance of comprehensive patient history and monitoring for atypical complications post-ALT.