Corneal Endothelial Cytotoxicity of the Calotropis procera (Ushaar) Plant

Corneal Endothelial Cytotoxicity of the Calotropis procera (Ushaar) Plant

PURPOSE:To report 6 eyes of 5 patients with transient corneal edema after exposure to the milky latex of Calotropis procera (ushaar). METHODS:Interventional case series. RESULTS:Intracorneal penetration of ushaar latex can lead to permanent endothelial cell loss with morphologic alteration. Corneal...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cornea Vol. 27; no. 4; pp. 504 - 506
Main Authors: Al-Mezaine, Hani S, Al-Amry, Mohammed A, Al-Assiri, Abdullah, Fadel, Talal S, Tabbara, Khalid F, Al-Rajhi, Ali A
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States Copyright Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved 01-05-2008
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Calotropis - adverse effects
Cell Count
Corneal Edema - chemically induced
Corneal Edema - drug therapy
Corneal Edema - pathology
Endothelium, Corneal - drug effects
Endothelium, Corneal - pathology
Female
Glucocorticoids - therapeutic use
Humans
Latex - adverse effects
Male
Microscopy, Confocal
Plant Extracts - adverse effects
Visual Acuity
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Summary:PURPOSE:To report 6 eyes of 5 patients with transient corneal edema after exposure to the milky latex of Calotropis procera (ushaar). METHODS:Interventional case series. RESULTS:Intracorneal penetration of ushaar latex can lead to permanent endothelial cell loss with morphologic alteration. Corneal edema resolved completely in ∼2 weeks in all cases, despite reduced endothelial cell count and abnormal morphology. CONCLUSIONS:Corneal endothelial toxicity of ushaar latex is caused by its ability to penetrate the corneal stroma and induce permanent loss of endothelial cells. Corneal edema resolves if sufficient endothelial cell viability is still present after resolution of ushaar keratitis.
ISSN:0277-3740
1536-4798
DOI:10.1097/ICO.0b013e3181611c34