Diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) is a sterile inflammation of the cornea, which may occur after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) surgery. Little is known about the association of DLK with permanent eyeliner tattoo. The present case report describes the case of a 37-year-old Chinese woman who developed severe foreign body sensation in both eyes 1 week after receiving bilateral permanent eyeliner tattoo treatment. The patient had received bilateral LASIK surgery 10 years previously. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy revealed diffused granular infiltrates precipitated around the edge of the corneal flaps in both eyes. After topical treatment, DLK persisted. Therefore, the patient underwent surgery to remove the corneal epithelium around the DLK lesion. There was no recurrence of the disease during the 3-month observation period. To our knowledge, this is the first case report describing a case of late-onset of DLK that was triggered by permanent eyeliner tattoo. Doctors should be aware of the diagnosis and treatment of this complication associated with the application of permanent eyeliner tattoo as the popularity of this cosmetic procedure increases.
Keywords: diffuse lamellar keratitis; laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis; slit-lamp biomicroscopy.