A case of herpetic epithelial keratitis after triamcinolone acetonide subtenon injection.

BACKGROUND

We report a case of herpes simplex virus (HSV) epithelial keratitis that developed after a subtenon triamcinolone acetonide (TA) injection.

METHOD: A 78-year-old woman with a branch retinal vein occlusion and diffuse macular edema in her left eye received a subtenon injection of 20 mg of TA.

RESULTS

Six days after the injection, the patient presented with a foreign body sensation, tearing, redness, and photophobia in the same eye. Slit-lamp examination revealed multiple corneal dendriform ulcers. She was diagnosed with HSV epithelial keratitis and treated with topical acyclovir ointment. The epithelial lesions healed after 1 week of therapy.

CONCLUSION

HSV epithelial keratitis can be a possible complication of a TA subtenon injection.