Corneal endothelial cytotoxicity of the Calotropis procera (ushaar) plant.
OBJECTIVE
To report 6 eyes of 5 patients with transient corneal edema after exposure to the milky latex of Calotropis procera (ushaar).


METHODS
Interventional case series.


RESULTS
Intracorneal penetration of ushaar latex can lead to permanent endothelial cell loss with morphologic alteration. Corneal edema resolved completely in approximately 2 weeks in all cases, despite reduced endothelial cell count and abnormal morphology.


CONCLUSIONS
Corneal endothelial toxicity of ushaar latex is caused by its ability to penetrate the corneal stroma and induce 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. almez2001@hotmail.com
Al-Amry
Mohammed A
MA
Al-Assiri
Abdullah
A
Fadel
Talal S
TS
Tabbara
Khalid F
KF
Al-Rajhi
Ali A
AA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; 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; D007840:Latex / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014792:Visual Acuity
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007840:Latex; D010936:Plant Extracts