Ocular toxicity by latex of Calotropis procera (Sodom apple).
We report the spectrum of ocular toxicity following accidental inoculation of latex of Calotropis procera (Sodom apple) in 29 eyes between January 2003 and December 2006. All patients presented with sudden painless dimness of vision with photophobia. Twenty-five (86%) patients had initial visual acuity of less than 20/60. All eyes had conjunctival congestion and mild to severe corneal edema with Descemet's folds. Three (10%) eyes had an epithelial defect, nine (31%) had iridocyclitis, and seven (24%) had associated secondary glaucoma. After treatment with topical corticosteroids, antiglaucoma agents, cycloplegics, hypertonic saline and tears supplements, 27 (93%) eyes recovered completely within 3-14 days. After three months, 17 (74%) out of 23 eyes showed a significant low endothelial cell count compared to the normal fellow eye ( P 0.001). The latex of Calotropis procera causes significant ocular morbidity which may be preventable by simple health education. The long-term effect on corneal endothelium has to be studied further.
Basak
Samar K
SK
Disha Eye Hospitals and Research Centre, Barrackpore, West Bengal, Kolkata - 700 120, India. basak_sk@hotmail.com
Bhaumik
Arup
A
Mohanta
Ayan
A
Singhal
Prashant
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D031107:Calotropis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D015715:Corneal Edema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D015863:Iridocyclitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D007840:Latex / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009184:Mydriatics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020795:Photophobia / Q000139:chemically induced; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007840:Latex; D009184:Mydriatics