Cornea
Diffuse Lamellar Keratitis
Also known as: diffuse lamellar keratitis, DLK, sands of Sahara, LASIK interface inflammation, interface keratitis, interface inflammation, post-LASIK sterile inflammation, post LASIK interface haze
Clinical decision support only
OptoGuide™ supports professional judgement and does not diagnose or replace clinician responsibility.
Overview
Diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) is sterile interface inflammation after LASIK or flap-based refractive surgery. It is time-sensitive because interface inflammation can threaten vision, but it must be differentiated from infectious keratitis. Optometry should recognise interface haze/infiltrates, document severity and red flags, and arrange urgent refractive surgeon/ophthalmology review. Steroid escalation, flap lift, and interface irrigation are specialist pathway actions.
What OptoGuide™ covers for diffuse lamellar keratitis
- Recognition patterns: symptoms, signs, and differentiators
- Don't-miss risks and escalation triggers
- Management tiers with linked Australian therapeutics
- Referral urgency, specialty, and letter drafting