Infectious crystalline keratopathy after Descemet’s stripping endothelial keratoplasty

BMJ Case Rep. 2017 Jun 14:2017:bcr2017220464. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-220464.

Abstract

A 68-year-old woman presented with infectious crystalline keratopathy 4 months after she underwent a combined phacoemulsification and Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty for Fuch's endothelial dystrophy in her left eye. After 5 months of topical moxifloxacin 1%, the infiltrate responded well but had not completely resolved, with the resulting endothelial failure requiring a penetrating keratoplasty 9 months after the initial operation. Microbiology identified Enterococcus faecalis with the histopathology demonstrating bacterial colonies within the graft interface. Postoperatively she developed endophthalmitis, needing vitrectomy and intravitreal antibiotics. The infection settled with no recurrence, with topical and oral antibiotics continued for 2 months. A sutured toric piggyback intraocular lens was performed 18 months postvitrectomy for graft astigmatism, achieving a best-corrected vision of 6/15.Infectious crystalline keratopathy can occur following Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty, requiring long-term topical therapy and potentially leading to graft failure with the necessity for further keratoplasty.

Keywords: corneal transplantation; descemet stripping endothelial keratopathy; enterococcus faecalis; infectious crystalline keratopathy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Enterococcus faecalis / isolation & purification*
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial / diagnosis*
  • Eye Infections, Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Keratitis / diagnosis*
  • Keratitis / drug therapy
  • Keratitis / surgery
  • Ophthalmic Solutions
  • Phacoemulsification*
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis
  • Postoperative Complications / drug therapy
  • Vitrectomy

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Ophthalmic Solutions