Posters

Bilateral keratopathy due to topical anesthetic abuse, overlooked as microbial keratitis: a case report

Poster Details

First Author: C.Skatharoudi GREECE

Co Author(s): D. Liakopoulos   C. Siganos                 

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To present the clinical course and treatment of a bilateral keratitis-like ulcer secondary to abuse of topical anesthetics.

Setting:

Cornea & External Eye Disease Service, Department of Ophthalmology University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece

Methods:

Case report

Results:

Male patient 42 y.o. presented with blurred vision, pain, severe photophobia and irritation in both eyes, due to bilateral non-healing epithelial defects, self treated with proxymetacaine drops. Slit-lamp examination revealed central corneal epithelial defects, stromal oedema, descemet folds and infiltrates in both eyes. Deterioration with hypopyon in lefteye and ring-shaped keratitis in both eyes followed, despite treatment with topical fortified antibiotics, lubricants and cycloplegia. Even though denied by the patient, suspicion of continuous using of anesthetic drops was confirmed. Unilateral pressure patching was initiated along with epithelial promotion treatment for the second eye, achieving corneal healing and visual acuity improvement.

Conclusions:

Ophthalmologists should be suspicious of topical anesthetic abuse keratopathy in young males presenting with persistent epithelial defects, ring-shaped keratitis, and accompanying severe ocular pain and photophobia.

Financial Disclosure:

None