Microbial Keratitis After Collagen Cross-linking Treatment

A 33-year-old woman presented with pain, redness, and diminution of vision that occurred 2 days after collagen cross-linking had been\udperformed for keratoconus in the right eye. Culture results from the patient's contact lens and corneal scrapings were positive for\udStaphylococcus epidermidis. According to the results of antibiotic susceptibility testing, the patient was treated with hourly topical\udfortified vancomycin and exocin. Before collagen cross-linking, the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 4/10, the manifest refraction\udwas -7.00 -1.755 3°. Four months after the procedure, the BCVA was 4/10, the manifest refraction was -5.50 -1.75 10°. Slit-lamp\udexamination revealed a mild residual haze in the upper midperipheral cornea, and stromal opacities had disappeared. Collagen crosslinking\udis less invasive compared to other methods for treatment of keratoconus, but epithelial debridement and bandage contact lens\udwearing may lead to the development of bacterial keratitis. (Turk J Oph thal mol 2012; 42: 300-2