Beware the ornamental plant.
A keen female gardener presented to the emergency department of the hospital with a large corneal abrasion, conjunctival injection, an anterior chamber reaction and a hypopyon. She put it down to trauma that day while gardening, as she had been pruning her patio plant. The Euphorbia species of ornamental plants have been known to cause an intense reactive anterior uveitis and kerato-conjunctivitis caused by the milky sap it produces. Emergency medicine doctors and ophthalmologists should be aware of the effects of the sap of the Euphorbia species of plants.
Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, City Hospital, Dudley Road, Winson Green, Birmingham, UK. kaarthur@doctors.net.uk
Kwesi N
KN
Amissah-Arthur
Markus
M
Groppe
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D028481:Euphorbia / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans