Corneal infiltrates after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy and LASIK.

PURPOSE

To determine the frequency and clinical characteristics of corneal infiltrates after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and to evaluate the efficacy of treatment.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 8508 eyes treated with PRK or LASIK in a university-based clinic for the correction of refractive errors for 60 days postoperatively.

RESULTS

Corneal infiltrates were observed in 35 (0.8%) of 4492 PRK-operated eyes and in 4 (0.1%) of 4016 LASIK-operated eyes. The mean time of diagnosis was 5.46 days. Among the 39 eyes with infiltrates, 10 (9 PRK, 1 LASIK) had culture-verified infectious keratitis. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was the most frequently isolated bacterium (50%), followed by S aureus (20%), Corynebacterium xerosis (10%), Streptococcus viridans (10%), and an unidentified gram-positive coccus (10%). Final visual acuity of > or = 20/30, without correction, was achieved in 79.5% of the 39 eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

Corneal infiltrates occurred in 0.8% of PRK eyes and 0.1% of LASIK eyes. Bacterial smears were positive for several eyes. In all cases, prompt treatment was responsible for good visual outcome.