Topical ocular anesthetic abuse: case report.
Topical ocular anesthetic abuse is uncommon in our clinical experience. The complications associated with topical ocular anesthetic abuse included persistent corneal epithelial defect, ring-shaped stromal infiltrate, and anterior segment inflammation. This disorder can masquerade as Acanthamoeba keratitis or other infectious keratitis. We report a suspicious case of infectious keratitis unresponsive to antibiotics. The patient had an irritable manner, low pain-control threshold, and an analgesic drug abuse history. This information, along with finding a topical ocular anesthetic bottle at bedside helped alert us to possibility of drug abuse. After discontinuing use of the topical anesthetic and using lubricants, topical steroid, and a therapeutic soft contact lens, the condition improved.
Sun
M H
MH
Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Huang
S C
SC
Chen
T L
TL
Tsai
R J
RJ
D000328:Adult; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*
D000779:Anesthetics, Local