PURPOSE: To report an unusual case of infectious keratitis that occurred after presbyopic laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: A 57-year-old woman presented with decreased visual acuity and pain in her right eye 2 days after a bilateral presbyopic LASIK procedure. Slit-lamp examination showed a large corneal infiltrate surrounded by marked corneal inflammation. Corneal scraping grew Propionibacterium acnes. RESULTS: Under topical and systemic antibiotic treatment, the infiltrate slowly resolved. Visual acuity improved from counting fingers at presentation to 20/30 after 8 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of a P. acnes infection after LASIK and the first case of infection complicating a presbyopic LASIK procedure. Although infectious keratitis occurs rarely after refractive surgery, patients should be informed of the potential risk of visual loss caused by such infections.
PURPOSE: To report an unusual case of infectious keratitis that occurred after presbyopic laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: A 57-year-old woman presented with decreased visual acuity and pain in her right eye 2 days after a bilateral presbyopic LASIK procedure. Slit-lamp examination showed a large corneal infiltrate surrounded by marked corneal inflammation. Corneal scraping grew Propionibacterium acnes. RESULTS: Under topical and systemic antibiotic treatment, the infiltrate slowly resolved. Visual acuity improved from counting fingers at presentation to 20/30 after 8 months of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of a P. acnes infection after LASIK and the first case of infection complicating a presbyopic LASIK procedure. Although infectious keratitis occurs rarely after refractive surgery, patients should be informed of the potential risk of visual loss caused by such infections.