Serratia marcescens keratitis after photorefractive keratectomy.

摘要

Infection following keratorefractive surgery is a rare complication, but it can lead to decreased visual acuity and may necessitate a corneal graft. In theory, the risk for infection during photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is higher than during laser in situ keratomileusis because the former technique produces an epithelial defect of 8.0 to 9.0 mm that takes approximately 4 days to heal. In addition, therapeutic contact lenses, which are routinely used as adjuvant treatment to reduce pain and facilitate corneal reepithelialization, may increase the risk for microbial keratitis.