A Case Series of Infectious Keratitis After Corneal Cross-linking
Purpose: To present the 7-year experience of a tertiary eye hospital while exploring possible risk factors and incidence of infectious keratitis in patients undergoing standard corneal cross-linking (CXL). Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients with progressive keratoconus undergoing standard CXL in the Farabi Eye Hospital and all other patients who had undergone CXL in other facilities and were diagnosed as having infectious keratitis in the 7-year period of the study. Results: Among the total of 4,863 eyes that underwent CXL, 6 eyes developed infectious keratitis, yielding an incidence rate of 0.12%. Additionally, 13 eyes from 10 patients with a CXL history in other facilities who developed infectious keratitis were included. The mean age was 23.75 years, and 75% of patients were men and 25% were women. Gram-positive bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus were the most prevalent pathogens. Meibomian gland dysfunction, dry eye disease, or blepharitis were present in 12 patients.
The article titled "A Case Series of Infectious Keratitis After Corneal Cross-linking" by Hossein Farrokhpour et al., published in the Journal of Refractive Surgery in August 2023, presents a series of cases involving infectious keratitis following corneal cross-linking (CXL). CXL is a procedure used to strengthen corneal tissue, commonly employed in treating conditions like keratoconus. While generally safe, there are instances where postoperative complications, such as infections, can occur.
In this case series, the authors discuss multiple patients who developed infectious keratitis after undergoing CXL. The study provides detailed accounts of each case, including the clinical presentations, microbial findings, treatment approaches, and visual outcomes. The aim is to highlight the potential risks associated with the procedure and to emphasize the importance of early detection and appropriate management of such infections to preserve vision.
The findings underscore the need for clinicians to be vigilant about postoperative care and to educate patients on recognizing early signs of infection. Implementing stringent aseptic techniques during surgery and closely monitoring patients in the postoperative period are crucial steps to minimize the risk of infectious keratitis following CXL.
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