ABSTRACT
We report the spectrum of ocular toxicity following accidental inoculation of latex of Calotropis procera (Sodom apple) in 29 eyes between January 2003 and December 2006. All patients presented with sudden painless dimness of vision with photophobia. Twenty-five (86%) patients had initial visual acuity of less than 20/60. All eyes had conjunctival congestion and mild to severe corneal edema with Descemet's folds. Three (10%) eyes had an epithelial defect, nine (31%) had iridocyclitis, and seven (24%) had associated secondary glaucoma. After treatment with topical corticosteroids, antiglaucoma agents, cycloplegics, hypertonic saline and tears supplements, 27 (93%) eyes recovered completely within 3-14 days. After three months, 17 (74%) out of 23 eyes showed a significant low endothelial cell count compared to the normal fellow eye ( P 0.001). The latex of Calotropis procera causes significant ocular morbidity which may be preventable by simple health education. The long-term effect on corneal endothelium has to be studied further.
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Antihypertensive Agents/therapeutic use , Calotropis/adverse effects , Conjunctival Diseases/chemically induced , Conjunctival Diseases/diagnosis , Conjunctival Diseases/drug therapy , Corneal Edema/chemically induced , Corneal Edema/diagnosis , Corneal Edema/drug therapy , Female , Glaucoma/chemically induced , Glaucoma/diagnosis , Glaucoma/drug therapy , Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use , Humans , Iridocyclitis/chemically induced , Iridocyclitis/diagnosis , Iridocyclitis/drug therapy , Latex/adverse effects , Male , Middle Aged , Mydriatics/therapeutic use , Photophobia/chemically induced , Retrospective Studies , Vision Disorders/chemically induced , Visual AcuityABSTRACT
Calotropis procera produces copious amounts of latex, which has been shown to possess several pharmacological properities. Its local application produces intense inflammatory response. In the 10 cases of Calotropis procera -induced keratitis reported here, the clinical picture showed corneal edema with striate keratopathy without any evidence of intraocular inflammation. The inflammation was reversed by the local application of steroid drops.