Immediate postoperative keratitis caused by Rhizopus species following standard CXL for keratoconus: A case report and literature review

Eur J Ophthalmol. 2024 Apr 16:11206721241247589. doi: 10.1177/11206721241247589. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Purpose: To report the first case of Rhizopus sp keratitis in a 15-year-old male patient who had undergone a conventional Epi-off CXL procedure for progressive keratoconus.

Methods: A 15-year-old male studying at school presented with defective vision in both eyes recently. He was diagnosed with progressive keratoconus in the right eye more than left eye. After the conventional CXL procedure, the patient developed corneal ulcer on third postoperative day.

Results: The microbiological diagnosis of both BCL and ulcer revealed Rhizopus sp. The patient responded to topical antifungals, and the ulcer entirely healed with a large central scar.

Conclusion: Rhizopus keratitis is rare in a healthy individual. Ours is the first case report of Rhizopus keratitis in patient undergone CXL.

Keywords: CXL; Rhizopus; corneal ulcer.