Characteristics of Pseudomonas corneal infection related to orthokeratology.

PURPOSE: To describe a Pseudomonas aeruginosa corneal infection resulting from orthokeratology.

METHODS: Case report.

RESULTS: A 17-year-old boy wearing orthokeratology (OK) lenses was referred to our clinic because of redness in his right eye in spite of his usage of ofloxacin (OFLX) eye drops. An excavated paracentral corneal ulcer with an immune ring and hypopyon was observed. It was positioned under the paracentral steeper portion of the optic of the OK lens. Culture of the lens solution revealed P. aeruginosa. The patient was treated with topical OFLX and cefmenoxime (CMX) plus intravenous and subconjunctival injections of cefozopran (CZOP), successfully. The antibiotic susceptibility of P. aeruginosa by the disk diffusion susceptibility test was reduced under moderately hypoxic conditions. Glycocalyx slime was formed on the OK lens in vitro by P. aeruginosa isolated from the case.

CONCLUSIONS: Changes in P. aeruginosa susceptibility to antibiotics under moderately hypoxic conditions and glycocalyx slime formation might affect the features of OK lens-associated infections.