CORNEAL INFECTION AFTER RADIAL KERATOTOMY

Purpose: To evaluate nine eyes that developed corneal infection after radial keratotomy (RK) and their subsequent management. Setting: Dr. R ajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, New Delhi, India.Method : The parameters evaluated were interval between RK and development of the ulcer, number of keratotomy incisions, nature of surgery (primary or secondary), status at presentation, and best corrected visual acui ty (BCVA). Corneal scrapings were taken from ail eyes for microbiologi cal evaluation. Initial therapy was based on clinical impression and s ubsequent therapy, on the microbiological report. Results: Staphylococ cus species were the most frequently isolated bacteria followed by Pse udomonas aeruginosa. Two eyes had fungal growth, and no organisms were isolated from one. All but one eye responded to medical therapy; heal ing took 23 to 26 days. Therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) was done in one eye. Presenting BCVA of hand movement to 6/36 improved to hand movement to 6/18 after the ulcer healed. Final BCVA was 6/36 to 6/9 after lamellar keratoplasty or PKP or with contact lens or spectac le correction. Conclusion: Our study shows that corneal infection is a potential complication of RK. Therefore, persistent postoperative irr itation should be carefully observed to ensure early diagnosis and pro mpt therapy.