Mycobacterium chelonae canaliculitis associated with SmartPlug use.

Mycobacterium chelonae is ubiquitous in the environment but is an uncommon cause of ocular and periocular infections. It is a pathogen that has been gaining increased attention in the ophthalmic literature because of the relatively large number of infections associated with laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis and other forms of refractive surgery. The authors present 3 patients who developed canaliculitis culture positive for M. chelonae more than a year after SmartPlug placement. These cases highlight some of the clinical scenarios that may be encountered in those who present with canaliculitis with a history of intracanalicular plug placement. Therapeutic considerations are also suggested.