Herbal medication aggravates cataract formation: a case report.
We report a case of complicated cataract aggravated after taking herbal medication for atopic dermatitis. An 11-yr-old boy was referred for the evaluation of decreased visual acuity in both eyes for 2 months. Past history showed that he had been diagnosed with atopic dermatitis when he was 1 yr old. He had been treated only with herbal medication for a period of 8 months prior to visiting our clinic. He had his visual acuity checked in a local ophthalmic clinic one year before, and the visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes at that time. When attending our clinic the ophthalmologic examination showed that his best corrected visual acuity was 20/200 in both eyes. Lenses of both eyes had severe posterior subcapsular and posterior capsular opacity. Phacoemulsification, posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation, and posterior continuous curvilinear capsulectomy were performed in both eyes. After 3 months postoperatively, the best corrected visual acuity was recovered to 20/20 in both eyes without any complication. Our case suggests that there may be a risk of aggravation of cataract or development of cataract after treatment with some unidentified herbal medication in a patient with atopic dermatitis.
Kang
Kui Dong
KD
Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, University of Oxford, Oxford, U.K.
Kang
Seung Min
SM
Yim
Hye Bin
HB
D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D002648:Child; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal