Traumatic flap displacement and subsequent diffuse lamellar keratitis after laser in situ keratomileusis

• Published in: Journal of cataract and refractive surgery Vol. 27; no. 5; pp. 781 - 783
• Main Authors: Schwartz, Gary S, Park, David H, Schloff, Susan, Lane, Stephen S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.05.2001; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Corneal Stroma - injuries; Corneal Stroma - surgery; Eye Injuries - complications; Humans; Keratitis - etiology; Keratitis - surgery; Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Reoperation; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the eye and orbit; Surgical Flaps; Surgical Wound Dehiscence - etiology; Surgical Wound Dehiscence - surgery; Visual Acuity; Wounds, Nonpenetrating - complications; Human; Cornea; Keratomileusis; Diffuse lamellar keratitis; In situ; Trauma; Displacement; Case study; Eye; Eye disease; Keratoplasty; Surgery; Laser; Complication; Flap (surgery)
• ISSN: 0886-3350; 1873-4502
• DOI: 10.1016/S0886-3350(00)00744-6

A 45-year-old man was struck in the left eye by the edge of a paper shopping bag 3 weeks after having laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). The injury resulted in partial displacement of the LASIK flap. The patient developed diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) the day after the flap was repositioned. By day 4, visual acuity diminished to 20/60. By day 9, the clinical evidence of the DLK had resolved, and by day 15, uncorrected visual acuity was 20/20. Eye trauma 3 weeks after LASIK can result in displacement of the LASIK flap, and DLK can develop following flap replacement. Long-term anatomic and visual results are usually good.