Calotropis procera (ushaar) keratitis.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of permanent endothelial cell injury after intracorneal penetration of milky latex from Calotropis procera (ushaar).


METHODS
Interventional case report.


METHODS
A 40-year-old patient developed painless corneal edema despite minimal epithelial injury after exposure to ushaar latex.


RESULTS
Confocal and specular microscopy confirmed permanent endothelial cell loss with morphologic alteration after intracorneal penetration of ushaar latex. Corneal edema resolved completely after 2 weeks, although reduced endothelial cell count and abnormal morphology persisted.


CONCLUSIONS
Ushaar latex is capable of penetrating the corneal stroma and inducing permanent loss of endothelial cells. Corneal edema resolves if sufficient endothelial cell viability is still present after resolution of ushaar keratitis.
Al-Mezaine
Hani S
HS
Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. meddir@awalnet.net.sa
Al-Rajhi
Ali A
AA
Al-Assiri
Abdullah
A
Wagoner
Michael D
MD
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D031107:Calotropis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002452:Cell Count; D015715:Corneal Edema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D007840:Latex / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects*
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007840:Latex; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D010936:Plant Extracts