PURPOSE AND METHOD: To review the literature on microbial keratitis reported after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

RESULTS: Forty-one eyes have been reported to have microbial keratitis after LASIK. The causative organisms vary from gram positive bacteria to atypical mycobacteria, fungal, and viral pathogens. The infection is usually acquired intraoperatively, but may also be caused by postoperative contamination. A majority of the patients present within 72 hours of the surgery with an acute onset of symptoms. Management of microbial keratitis after LASIK includes aggressive topical fortified antibiotic therapy, irrigation of stromal bed with antibiotic solution after lifting the flap, and sending the scraping of the infiltrate for microbiological evaluation. The keratitis heals with scarring and a best spectacle-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better can be obtained in the majority of the patients.

CONCLUSION: Microbial keratitis is a sightthreatening complication of LASIK [J Refract Surg 2002;18:280-286]