Herpes Simplex Keratitis After Cataract Surgery

Purpose: Herpetic keratitis is a rare complication of cataract surgery. We describe 3 cases of herpes simplex keratitis after cataract surgery in eyes with no clinical history of this disease. Methods: Three patients underwent uneventful phacoemulsification of cataract with intraocular lens implantation. All were treated postoperatively with topical steroids. On subsequent development of corneal dendritic epithelial lesions in the operated eyes, the corticosteroids were replaced by treatment with topical acyclovir. Results: The first postoperative day was uneventful. Corneal dendritic epithelial lesions were observed 1-5 weeks postoperatively and healed without sequelae after topical acyclovir treatment. Conclusions: In view of the surgical trauma along with the topical corticosteroid treatment commonly prescribed after cataract surgery, physicians should be aware of the possible development of herpetic epithelial keratitis even in patients with no clinical history of this disease.

[1]  R. Lapid-Gortzak,et al.  Herpes simplex virus keratitis after laser in situ keratomileusis. , 2005, Journal of refractive surgery.

[2]  F. Rozenberg,et al.  Culture-Proven Herpetic Keratitis After Penetrating Keratoplasty in Patients With No Previous History of Herpes Disease , 2004, Cornea.

[3]  E. Cohen,et al.  New onset of herpes simplex virus epithelial keratitis after penetrating keratoplasty. , 2004, American journal of ophthalmology.

[4]  K. Hayashi,et al.  Herpes Simplex Virus Genome Quantification in Two Patients Who Developed Herpetic Epithelial Keratitis During Treatment With Antiglaucoma Medications , 2004, Cornea.

[5]  C. Sotozono,et al.  Herpes Simplex Keratitis after Ophthalmic Surgery , 2004, Japanese Journal of Ophthalmology.

[6]  E. Donnenfeld,et al.  Herpes simplex reactivation following laser in situ keratomileusis and subsequent corneal perforation. , 2002, The CLAO journal : official publication of the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, Inc.

[7]  Z. Shihab,et al.  Herpes simplex virus dermatitis in patients using latanoprost. , 2001, American journal of ophthalmology.

[8]  N. Bazan,et al.  Effects of topical unoprostone and latanoprost on acute and recurrent herpetic keratitis in the rabbit. , 2001, American journal of ophthalmology.

[9]  C. Camras.  Latanoprost increases the severity and recurrence of herpetic keratitis in the rabbit; latanoprost and herpes simplex keratitis. , 2000, American journal of ophthalmology.

[10]  R. D. Stulting,et al.  Psychological stress and other potential triggers for recurrences of herpes simplex virus eye infections. Herpetic Eye Disease Study Group. , 2000, Archives of ophthalmology.

[11]  Dios Castro E,et al.  [Latanoprost-associated recurrent herpes simplex keratitis]. , 2000, Archivos de la Sociedad Espanola de Oftalmologia.

[12]  H. Thompson,et al.  Latanoprost increases the severity and recurrence of herpetic keratitis in the rabbit. , 1999, American journal of ophthalmology.

[13]  T. Liesegang,et al.  Latanoprost and herpes simplex keratitis. , 1999, American journal of ophthalmology.

[14]  J. Davidorf.  Herpes simplex keratitis after LASIK. , 1998, Journal of refractive surgery.

[15]  P. Doornenbal,et al.  Newly acquired herpes simplex virus keratitis after penetrating keratoplasty. , 1997, Ophthalmology.

[16]  J. Pepose,et al.  Reactivation of latent herpes simplex virus by excimer laser photokeratectomy. , 1992, American journal of ophthalmology.

[17]  H. Kaufman,et al.  Herpes simplex dendritic keratitis after keratoplasty. , 1991, American journal of ophthalmology.

[18]  H. Kaufman,et al.  Herpes simplex dendritic keratitis after keratoplasty. , 1991, American journal of ophthalmology.

[19]  W. Barlow,et al.  Assessment of diclofenac on herpes keratitis in rabbit eyes. , 1989, Archives of ophthalmology.

[20]  D. Rootman,et al.  Recurrent HSV-1 corneal epithelial lesions induced by timolol iontophoresis in latently infected rabbits. , 1988, Investigative ophthalmology & visual science.

[21]  E. Romanowski,et al.  Timolol promotes reactivation of latent HSV-1 in the mouse iontophoresis model. , 1987, Investigative ophthalmology & visual science.

[22]  Y. Shimomura,et al.  Timolol induces HSV-1 ocular shedding in the latently infected rabbit. , 1987, Investigative ophthalmology & visual science.