Outbreak of diffuse lamellar keratitis caused by marking-pen toxicity.

Purpose: To examine the evidence that a series of cases of diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) was caused by a type of marker pen.

Setting: Eye Institute, Auckland, New Zealand.

Methods: During a 10-week period, 522 consecutive LASIK procedures were performed using a 60 Hz IntraLase femtosecond laser (IntraLase Corp.

Multifocal lamellar keratitis following laser in situ keratomileusis.

Over a period of approximately 7 months, multiple subepithelial spots were noted in one or both corneas of some patients examined 2 to 6 months after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). The lesions appeared identical to adenovirus keratitis. The eyes were quiet, had good vision, and no patient had a history of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis.