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Herpes simplex virus dermatitis in patients using latanoprost.
J Morales1, Z M Shihab, S M Brown
1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas, USA.
American Journal of Ophthalmology
|July 5, 2001
Summary
Latanoprost eye drops may trigger herpetic dermatitis around the eyes. This condition, characterized by skin sores, resolved after discontinuing the medication, suggesting a potential link.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Glaucoma is often treated with medications like latanoprost.
- Herpetic infections can affect the skin around the eyes.
Observation:
- Two glaucoma patients developed vesicular dermatitis near their eyes after using latanoprost.
- The dermatitis presented as a herpetic infection in both cases.
Findings:
- Discontinuation of latanoprost led to the uneventful healing of the dermatitis in both patients.
- Herpes simplex virus type 1 was identified as the causative agent in one patient.
Implications:
- Latanoprost may be associated with the reactivation of periocular herpetic dermatitis.
- This finding expands on the known side effects of latanoprost, previously linked to herpetic keratitis.