In vivo confocal microscopic findings of interlamellar stromal keratopathy induced by elevated intraocular pressure

J Cataract Refract Surg. 2006 Sep;32(9):1563-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrs.2006.03.041.

Abstract

We report the confocal microscopic findings in a case of interlamellar stromal keratopathy induced by elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). In vivo confocal microscopy showed swollen and enlarged cellular structures and the presence of microlacunae separating the stromal collagen lamellae. Inflammatory mononuclear cells and granulocytes typically seen in patients with diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) were absent. Stopping the topical steroids with concurrent lowering of the IOP resulted in improvement in the uncorrected and best corrected visual acuities and was associated with resolution of the corneal findings. In vivo confocal microscopy is a useful tool to study interlamellar stromal keratopathy induced by elevated IOP after LASIK in humans and the response to treatment and to differentiate interlamellar stromal keratopathy from DLK.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acetazolamide / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Antihypertensive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Corneal Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Corneal Diseases / etiology
  • Corneal Stroma / pathology*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Glucocorticoids / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Intraocular Pressure*
  • Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Confocal
  • Ocular Hypertension / chemically induced*
  • Ocular Hypertension / drug therapy
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Prednisolone / adverse effects
  • Prednisolone / analogs & derivatives*
  • Timolol / therapeutic use
  • Visual Acuity

Substances

  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Timolol
  • prednisolone acetate
  • Prednisolone
  • Acetazolamide