Herpetic endotheliitis following an uncomplicated cataract surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Herpetic endotheliitis after cataract surgery is a rare complication, and it is more likely linked with previous ocular herpetic infection. Case Report: In the current case, the patient of this study is a 66-year-old woman without a personal history of herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) who underwent an uneventful phacoemulsification in her left eye. For the next two weeks, corneal endotheliitis appeared in the same eye, and then the initial diagnosis of HSK was made clinically. The patient was treated with systemic and topical antiviral therapy associated with an intensive topical corticosteroid. In four weeks, a complete resolution of the corneal edema was noticed and the visual acuity was improved (6/9). Conclusion: The occurrence of corneal edema after cataract surgery could reveal a herpetic endotheliitis, although early diagnosis and early treatment with strict monitoring are the keys to successful control of this affection.