A Case of Herpetic Keratitis after Subconjunctival Triamcinolone Acetonide Injection

PURPOSE: We report a case of herpetic epithelial keratitis that developed after subconjunctival triamcinolone acetonide injection (STI). METHODS: A 65-year-old female with anterior uveitis and hypotony in her right eye was given a STI (2 mg/0.5 ml). After the injection, she developed redness and an ocular discharge. A clinical examination was performed and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify the viral DNA in a corneal scraping. RESULTS: Slit-lamp biomicroscopy revealed a severe purulent discharge, conjunctival injection, and a geographic corneal ulcer in the right eye. Herpes simplex virus 1 DNA was identified in the corneal scraping using real-time PCR. Herpetic keratitis was diagnosed and topical acyclovir ointment as well as systemic valacyclovir were started. The inflammation subsided with this medication. CONCLUSION: We encountered a case of herpetic epithelial keratitis after a STI.