Central toxic keratopathy: a clinical case series.

Purpose: To describe clinically, a case series of central toxic keratopathy (CTK), and contribute with one possible aetiology of this entity.

Methods: A retrospective observational case series, which included 12 eyes diagnosed with CTK after undergoing laser refractive surgery in situ keratomileusis (LASIK).

Results: From a total of 28 eyes that underwent LASIK in the same week, 12 develop CTK. The mean time of the diagnostic was 4 days after surgery. The resolution time had an interval between 1, 3 and 9 months, and an average of 4.6 months. The occurrence of CTK cases coincided with the change of the brand of surgical gloves, and no further cases were found after their replacement.

Conclusions: The CTK clinical findings are well described, but with a yet unknown origin. It seems clear that it does not require specific treatment. It is possible that there might be a relationship between a substance of the gloves and CTK. Further studies are needed to know all the details of this process.