Micrococcus keratitis following microkeratome-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis

We hereby report a case of infectious keratitis after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) caused by Micrococcus luteus, a commensal, managed successfully in a nonimmunocompromised individual. A 25-year-old healthy male underwent uneventful bilateral simultaneous LASIK for myopia using disposable blades. Postoperatively, topical antibiotic and steroids were advised; he discontinued antibiotic on his own after using for a day. On the 5th postoperative day, he had pain, redness, decreased vision, and white spot in the left eye (LE) for 1-day duration. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) of LE reduced to 20/80 from postoperative 20/20. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy revealed tiny infiltrate in the interface with reticular haze in the flap and stroma. Gram-positive cocci in pairs and tetrads were found on corneal smears that were collected after lifting the flap from infiltrate, stromal bed, and undersurface of the flap. M. luteus was isolated on culture. The infiltrate resolved with scarring with intensive topical antibiotics. UCVA was 20/25. To the best of our knowledge, this is a first case report of post-LASIK infectious keratitis caused by M. luteus.