Korean J Ophthalmol.  2012 Jun;26(3):222-225. 10.3341/kjo.2012.26.3.222.

LASIK Interface-Captured Foreign Bodies after Mild Traumatic Corneal Scratch without Flap Displacement

• Choi JA
• Kim MS

• KMID: 1376130
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2012.26.3.222

Abstract

A 38-year-old woman developed diffusely distributed opacities with crystalline materials in the laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) interface of her eye after she was scratched by a sprig during mountain climbing. No sign of flap displacement was noted. Despite two days of topical and systemic antibiotics therapy, the corneal infiltration with interface opacities persisted. The following day, the distribution of the crystalline materials had rotated in a counterclockwise direction. Flap lifting and foreign body removal using sufficient irrigation were performed. One month after surgery, the patient's postoperative uncorrected visual acuity was 0.8 with cleared interface. No signs of epithelial ingrowth or flap striae were noted. Mild traumatic corneal scratching without flap displacement may threaten the integrity of the LASIK interface. If foreign bodies are suspected to be the cause of inflammation, early flap lifting with irrigation is imperative for successful treatment.

Keyword

Foreign bodies; Keratitis; Laser in situ keratomileusis interface

MeSH Terms

Adult
Cornea/*injuries/pathology/surgery
Eye Injuries/*complications/diagnosis/surgery
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ/*methods
Myopia/surgery
*Surgical Flaps
Surgical Wound Dehiscence/diagnosis/*etiology/surgery
Wounds, Nonpenetrating/*complications/diagnosis/surgery

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Slit-lamp photograph of the patient before flap lifting and irrigation. Upper photographs (A) (before pupillary dilatation) and (B) (after papillary dilatation) show diffusely distributed crystalline materials with stromal infiltration at the laser in situ keratomileusis interface on the first day of hospitalization. Note three large materials distributed linearly in the center of the cornea (see arrows). On the third day of hospitalization, photographs (C) (under cobalt blue filter) and (D) (under slit beam) show the change of distribution of the crystalline materials. Note three large materials in the center that seem to have rotated counterclockwise.

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  Fig. 2 Slit-lamp photograph of the patient after flap lifting and irrigation. In (A) and (B), crystalline materials at the laser in situ keratomileusis interface were cleared and conjunctival injection decreased on the first postoperative day.

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