title: [Contact allergy to eyedrops containing beta-blockers].
abstract: In six patients (4 women aged 80, 62, 43 and 52 years and 2 men aged 58 and 51 years), who used eyedrops containing beta-blockers for the treatment of glaucoma, allergic contact dermatitis of the eyelids was diagnosed. Three were allergic to metipranolol, 2 to levobunolol and 1 to timolol. In literature, less than 50 cases of hypersensitivity to beta-blockers in eye medication have been reported. There are, however, reasons to assume that sensitization is more frequent: (a) not all patients are referred by the ophthalmologist to the dermatologist; (b) false-negative reactions to patch tests with the commercial preparations and with beta-blockers are not infrequent; (c) they are not routinely tested because beta-blockers are difficult to obtain in pure form; (d) cross-reactions with other beta-blockers are infrequent, and changing to another preparation therefore usually solves the clinical problem. Nevertheless it is advisable to test a battery of beta-blockers (befunolol, levobunolol, metipranolol, timolol) in allergic patients. A test preparation of 2% in water or 3%-10% in petrolatum may be suitable. Control testing in non-exposed individuals is necessary to exclude irritation reactions.
authors.affiliation: Carolus-Liduina Ziekenhuis, Hertogenbosch, Afd. Dermatologie.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: de Groot
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: van Ginkel
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Bruynzeel
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Smeenk
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Conemans
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D002040:Levobunolol / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D014290:Metipranolol / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012882:Skin Tests; D013999:Timolol / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D013999:Timolol; D002040:Levobunolol; D014290:Metipranolol
vernacular_title: Contactallergie voor oogdruppels met beta-blokkers.