Affiliation:
1. Eye Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
2. Hunan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, China
Abstract
Purpose To report two cases of polymicrobial keratitis following corneal collagen cross-linking for keratoconus and to review the literature. Methods Retrospective case note and literature review. Results The first case involved a 27-year-old male who presented with amebic corneal ulcers 3 days after the collagen cross-linking procedure. Some gram-negative (gram-ve) cocci were found upon staining, and cysts were observed by confocal microscopy at 7 days after surgery. Acanthamoeba infection mixed with gram-ve organisms was diagnosed. In the second case, a 14-year male developed Staphylococcus aureus corneal infection with anterior chamber empyema 3 days after the collagen cross-linking procedure for keratoconus. Occasional gram-positive (gram + ve) cocci and gram-ve bacilli were observed under a microscope. The mixed keratitis in the two patients resolved after systemic and topical antibiotic therapy, but the infection ultimately resulted in corneal scarring. Follow-up keratoplasty was needed to improve vision acuity in both patients. Conclusion Although ultraviolet irradiation and the reactive oxygen released by riboflavin during collagen cross-linking have bactericidal effects, a lack of a corneal epithelial barrier, bandage contact lens usage, perioperative hygiene, and an abnormal immune state are risk factors for infectious keratitis after collagen cross-linking. Perioperative management of collagen cross-linking is important to prevent infection.
Funder
Education Department of Hunan Province
Hunan Provincial Innovation Foundation for Postgraduate
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Xiangya Hospital, Central South University
Subject
Ophthalmology,General Medicine