Exposure to caper spurge (Euphorbia lathyris) sap: a case of ocular and periorbital toxicity
Author(s)
Kok, Li Teng
Bizrah, Mukhtar
Cordeiro, M Francesca
Din, Nizar
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Introduction: We aimed to describe a case of bilateral keratoconjunctivitis after exposure to the toxic sap of Euphorbia lathyris. Case Report: A 76-year-old gentleman presented after exposure to E. lathyris whilst he was gardening. He had 6/12 visual acuity in his right eye, and 6/4 in his left. Examination revealed marked periocular dermatitis, conjunctival injection and corneal oedema in the right eye with diffuse punctate epithelial staining. He was treated with ocular irrigation, topical steroids, antibiotics, cycloplegics and lubricants. Over 48 h, his left eye started to become symptomatic. He developed bilateral corneal epithelial defects and anterior chamber inflammation. His visual acuity worsened to 6/36 right and 6/24 left. At his 3-week follow-up, there was marked improvement in the resolution of the toxic keratoconjunctivitis in both eyes. Conclusion: Toxic sap from E. lathyris can cause severe keratoconjunctivitis. Irrigation of both eyes despite unilateral symptoms and early follow-up should be considered signs of toxicity may only become evident after 24–48 h.
Date Issued
2024-01-01
Date Acceptance
2024-04-28
Citation
Case Reports in Ophthalmology, 2024, 15 (1), pp.542-547
ISSN
1663-2699
Publisher
Karger Publishers
Start Page
542
End Page
547
Journal / Book Title
Case Reports in Ophthalmology
Volume
15
Issue
1
Copyright Statement
© 2024 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC) (http://www.karger.com/Services/OpenAccessLicense). Usage and distribution for commercial purposes requires written permission.
License URL
Identifier
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39015244
PII: 539419
Subjects
Euphorbia
Keratoconjunctivitis
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Ophthalmology
Science & Technology
Toxic keratitis
Toxic sap
Publication Status
Accepted
Coverage Spatial
Switzerland
Date Publish Online
2024-07-03