Drug-induced corneal complications. 2004

David A Hollander, and Anthony J Aldave
The Cornea Service, Jules Stein Eye Institute, The University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.

OBJECTIVE To review the common corneal manifestations of systemic medications in order to describe the characteristic clinical features associated with particular systemic drugs, the indications for drug cessation, and the risks for irreversible ocular toxicity. RESULTS Systemic medications may reach the cornea via the tear film, aqueous humor, and limbal vasculature. The corneal changes are often the result of the underlying chemical properties of medications. Amphiphilic medications (amiodarone, chloroquine, suramin, clofazimine, etc.) may produce a drug-induced lipidosis and development of a vortex keratopathy. Antimetabolites (cytarabine) may lead to a degeneration of basal epithelial cells with formation of epithelial microcysts. Additionally, systemically administered medications and drug metabolites may lead to a stromal or endothelial deposition. Corneal changes may result in reduced visual acuity, photophobia, and ocular irritation, though these symptoms typically resolve following drug cessation. Corneal manifestations of systemic medications are often dose related, and may reflect the potential risk for lenticular or retinal changes. CONCLUSIONS Corneal changes secondary to systemic medications may affect all layers of the cornea. While corneal deposition is typically not an indication for drug cessation, patients receiving particular medications should be monitored for symptoms related to corneal deposition as well as for signs of irreversible ocular toxicity.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D003316 Corneal Diseases Diseases of the cornea. Corneal Disease,Disease, Corneal,Diseases, Corneal
D003319 Corneal Stroma The lamellated connective tissue constituting the thickest layer of the cornea between the Bowman and Descemet membranes. Corneal Stromas,Stroma, Corneal,Stromas, Corneal
D004728 Endothelium, Corneal Single layer of large flattened cells covering the surface of the cornea. Anterior Chamber Epithelium,Corneal Endothelium,Endothelium, Anterior Chamber,Epithelium, Anterior Chamber,Anterior Chamber Endothelium
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D014792 Visual Acuity Clarity or sharpness of OCULAR VISION or the ability of the eye to see fine details. Visual acuity depends on the functions of RETINA, neuronal transmission, and the interpretative ability of the brain. Normal visual acuity is expressed as 20/20 indicating that one can see at 20 feet what should normally be seen at that distance. Visual acuity can also be influenced by brightness, color, and contrast. Acuities, Visual,Acuity, Visual,Visual Acuities
D019573 Epithelium, Corneal Stratified squamous epithelium that covers the outer surface of the CORNEA. It is smooth and contains many free nerve endings. Anterior Corneal Epithelium,Corneal Epithelium,Corneal Epithelium, Anterior,Epithelium, Anterior Corneal

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