Posters

Neurotrophic corneal ulcer recurrence following topical tetracaine abuse in a one-eyed patient

Poster Details

First Author: M.Abrishami IRAN

Co Author(s):    M. Sedaghat                    

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To describe the clinical course and management of the recurrence of neurotrophic corneal ulcer associated with second time topical tetracaine abuse in a one-eyed patient.

Setting:

Eye Research Center, Khatam Eye Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Methods:

In an observational case report, we present a one-eyed, 48-year-old man referred with an eye problem beginning a few days following his corneal foreign body removal. Corneal epithelial defect, ring infiltration, stromal edema, and descemets folds were observed while examining his sighted eye. In expressing the history, he mentioned topical tetracaine use.

Results:

He was asked to discontinue taking tetracaine. Ocular surface cultures were performed with negative results in all. Topical autologus serum and oral steroid were administered. After one week, the size of epithelial defect was decreased. In the 2nd week, there was no significant change in its size. Lateral tarsorrhaphy was done. One week later, the corneal epithelial defect was totally healed. After 2 months, the tarssorrhaphy was opened and the patient had clear cornea with no epithelial defect or infilteration. Two years later, the patient returned with a same primary clinical feature.

Conclusions:

Tetracaine abuse may cause neurotrophic ulcer and that the ulcer may be relapsed due to a repeat in the drug abuse. Use of oral corticosteroids and topical autologouse serums may play an important role in the treatment of such ulcers, but we cannot forget psychiatric consultation especially in prophylaxis of recurrence.

Financial Disclosure:

None