[Infection post Excimer Laser Corneal Refractive Surgery].

PURPOSE: To report the cases with severe infection post excimer laser refractive surgery.

METHODS

This study involved 6 eyes of 4 women (mean age 38 years, range : 27-51 years) who underwent excimer laser corneal refractive surgery.

RESULTS

In all 4 cases, the respective primary causative organisms of the infection were quinolone-resistant methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, quinolone-resistant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, yeast type fungus, and in 1 case, penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae. We initiated topical antibiotics or intensive antifungal treatment, yet due to severe inflammation and ophthalmalgia, analgesic drugs were needed. An average hospitalization period was 38.5 days (range : 22-77 days), and the best spectacle-corrected visual acuity was 0.5 or more than 0.5 post discharge.

CONCLUSIONS

In the treatment of severe corneal infection post refractive surgery, it is important to identify the primary causative organism. If the response to the initial treatment is poor, such patients should immediately be referred to a special clinic to obtain a better visual outcome.