Bacterial keratitis following laser in situ keratomileusis

Purpose: The development of bacterial keratitis after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) has been described in only a few isolated cases. We report the development of bacterial keratitis as a postoperative complication of LASIK in three subjects. Design: A retrospective interventional small case series. Participants: Three patients who underwent LASIK for correction of myopia during July and August 1998 and had bacterial keratitis develop after surgery. Methods: Bacterial keratitis was encountered in the operated eyes between 1 and 22 days after surgery. Topical antibiotic therapy was administered. In one eye, which had significant opacification and irregularity of the flap was developed, lamellar keratoplasty was performed. Main Outcome Measures: Postoperative inflammation was followed clinically and photographically until it resolved. Visual acuity was measured at intervals throughout the follow-up period. Results: Keratitis resolved within 3 to 16 days of starting antibiotic therapy. The final best-corrected visual acuities were 20/30, 20/15, and 20/25. Conclusions: Although infectious keratitis after LASIK is an infrequently reported event, it should be discussed preoperatively with patients as a possible complication.