title: Sparfloxacin-associated corneal epithelial toxicity.
abstract: Sparfloxacin is a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic commonly used for various bacterial corneal infections. Topical use of fluoroquinolones is considered to be safe leading to their widespread use. Common indications include blepharitis, conjunctivitis and corneal ulcers. However, unsupervised prolonged use is associated with deposition of crystalline material in the epithelial and anterior stromal layers of the cornea. These may be associated with significant visual symptoms including diminution of vision and glare/photophobia. We present a case of a 40-year-old man who was treated with topical 0.3% sparfloxacin unsupervised for a long time. The patient developed significant visual impairment due to diffuse epitheliopathy. Cessation of the drug was slowly followed by reversal of manifestations and normalisation of corneal morphology.
authors.affiliation: Stanley M Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, USA.
authors.forename: Aniruddha Kishandutt
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4985-9855
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.affiliation: Advanced Eye Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Jagat
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ram
authors.affiliation: Advanced Eye Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: Ramandeep
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D003460:Crystallization; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D024841:Fluoroquinolones / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012648:Self Care / Q000009:adverse effects; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; C061363:sparfloxacin