Nocardial keratitis after laser in situ keratomileusis

• Published in: Journal of refractive surgery (1995) Vol. 13; no. 3; pp. 314 - 317
• Main Authors: PEREZ-SANTONJA, J. J, SAKLA, H. F, ABAD, J. L, ZORRAQUINO, A, ESTEBAN, J, ALIO, J. L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thorofare, NJ Slack 01.05.1997; SLACK INCORPORATED
• Subjects: Administration, Topical; Adult; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial diseases; Bacterial diseases of the eye and orbit; Biological and medical sciences; Cornea - microbiology; Cornea - pathology; Cornea - surgery; Corneal Transplantation - adverse effects; Drug Therapy, Combination - therapeutic use; Eye Infections, Bacterial - etiology; Eye Infections, Bacterial - pathology; Eye Infections, Bacterial - therapy; Follow-Up Studies; Human bacterial diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Keratitis - microbiology; Keratitis - pathology; Keratitis - therapy; Laser Therapy - adverse effects; Male; Medical sciences; Myopia - surgery; Nocardia asteroides - isolation & purification; Nocardia Infections - etiology; Nocardia Infections - pathology; Nocardia Infections - therapy; Ophthalmic Solutions; Reoperation; Human; Postoperative; Nocardia asteroides; Keratitis; Keratomileusis; In situ; Nocardiaceae; Keratopathy; Actinomycetales; Infection; Case study; Eye disease; Surgery; Bacteriosis; Bacteria; Complication; Actinomycetes
• ISSN: 1081-597X; 1938-2391
• DOI: 10.3928/1081-597X-19970501-21

Corneal interface central nodules appeared in a patient who underwent uncomplicated laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) retreatment for residual myopia. Nocardia asteroides keratitis was confirmed by microbiologic studies, which guided treatment. Six months after the appearance of the keratitis, the patient's uncorrected visual acuity was 20/45, and spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 20/40. The postoperative refraction was +0.75 -0.75 X 95 degrees, and slit-lamp examination revealed a clear cornea with a mild rounded scar in the central area. Night halos and starbursts were the main complaints in this patient. The immediate management of lifting the corneal flap for stromal bed scraping, fast microbial identification, and proper treatment was the key for the results in this patient.