TY - JOUR
T1 - Epipremnum aureum Keratopathy
T2 - Case Report and Review of the Literature
AU - Cohen, Adam K.
AU - Theotoka, Despoina
AU - Galor, Anat
PY - 2020/9/1
Y1 - 2020/9/1
N2 - OBJECTIVES: To report a novel case of Epipremnum aureum toxicity masquerading as bilateral infectious keratitis and review the literature on ocular manifestations of Epipremnum exposure. METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: A 70-year-old man with a history of photorefractive keratectomy presented with a 3-day history of bilateral eye pain. The patient reported exposure to plant debris while performing yard work and also water exposure while cleaning his coral fish tanks. Clinical examination revealed bilateral epitheliopathy progressing to frank epithelial defects with underlying stromal necrosis 6 days after exposure. Empiric topical antibiotic drops were initiated, but multiple cultures, corneal biopsy, and confocal microscopy were all negative for an infectious agent. Over a 2-week period, the epithelial defects worsened and a suspicion for a toxic etiology was raised. The patient later recalled rubbing his eyes after exposure to Epipremnum aureum (Golden Pothos/Devils Ivy) sap. He was thus treated conservatively with artificial tears, topical corticosteroids, and amniotic membrane. After 3 months, the epithelial defects resolved, but with corneal scarring, prominently in the left eye and underwent penetrating keratoplasty. Five years after presentation, best-corrected visual acuity with hard contact lenses was 20/25 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye. CONCLUSION: Epipremnum aureum toxicity is a rare cause of keratitis. It can mimic acanthamoeba keratitis or anesthetic abuse and should be considered in cases of culture negative nonhealing corneal ulcerations. Eliciting a history of plant sap exposure can facilitate appropriate supportive care for this toxic keratitis.
AB - OBJECTIVES: To report a novel case of Epipremnum aureum toxicity masquerading as bilateral infectious keratitis and review the literature on ocular manifestations of Epipremnum exposure. METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: A 70-year-old man with a history of photorefractive keratectomy presented with a 3-day history of bilateral eye pain. The patient reported exposure to plant debris while performing yard work and also water exposure while cleaning his coral fish tanks. Clinical examination revealed bilateral epitheliopathy progressing to frank epithelial defects with underlying stromal necrosis 6 days after exposure. Empiric topical antibiotic drops were initiated, but multiple cultures, corneal biopsy, and confocal microscopy were all negative for an infectious agent. Over a 2-week period, the epithelial defects worsened and a suspicion for a toxic etiology was raised. The patient later recalled rubbing his eyes after exposure to Epipremnum aureum (Golden Pothos/Devils Ivy) sap. He was thus treated conservatively with artificial tears, topical corticosteroids, and amniotic membrane. After 3 months, the epithelial defects resolved, but with corneal scarring, prominently in the left eye and underwent penetrating keratoplasty. Five years after presentation, best-corrected visual acuity with hard contact lenses was 20/25 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye. CONCLUSION: Epipremnum aureum toxicity is a rare cause of keratitis. It can mimic acanthamoeba keratitis or anesthetic abuse and should be considered in cases of culture negative nonhealing corneal ulcerations. Eliciting a history of plant sap exposure can facilitate appropriate supportive care for this toxic keratitis.
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U2 - 10.1097/ICL.0000000000000675
DO - 10.1097/ICL.0000000000000675
M3 - Article
C2 - 31794541
AN - SCOPUS:85090075263
VL - 46
SP - e33-e39
JO - Eye and Contact Lense
JF - Eye and Contact Lense
SN - 1542-2321
IS - 5
ER -