Suture-related corneal infections after clear corneal cataract surgery

Abstract

Three patients at our institution developed corneal infections associated with sutures placed after clear corneal incision cataract surgery. The time to infection was 9 weeks, 22 months, and 33 months. One patient required injection of intravitreal antibiotic agents for presumed endophthalmitis associated with the corneal infection. Two patients were treated with topical fortified antibiotic eyedrops only. Although there was no significant change in visual acuity after resolution of the infection, morbidity from suture-related corneal infections can be significant. Routine suture removal in the early postoperative period may be warranted to prevent such infections.