Dr. Narayana Nethralaya, K15949, Dr.Harsha Nagaraja, Dr. Yathish Shivanna, Dr. Rashmi Deshmukh
Purpose:To study effect,clinical features & prognosis of various ocular toxins on cornea.
Methods:Of 27 cases of toxic keratitis,6 had exposure to custard apple seeds,4 to podophyllin skin drops,12 to calotropis juice,& 5 had ocular bee sting.Detailed clinical examination was done.Patients were treated using standard management protocol.Clinical features & outcomes were evaluated.
Results:All cases presented with keratoconjunctivitis.Pain was consistent feature in all except majority of those exposed to calotropis juice.Custard apple seed exposure was epitheliotoxic with poor response to topical steroids,podophyllin toxicity was dose & duration dependent with effects involving all corneal layers,calotropis mainly caused endotheliitis with good response to topical steroids while bee sting in the stroma led to stromal melt.
Conclusion:Our study describes effect,pathophysiology,clinical prognosis of these toxins &emphasizes need for patient education to prevent ocular morbidity.