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Poliosis associated with treatment of fungal endophthalmitis

Adam S J Watson1, Osama Giledi, Sheraz M Daya

  • 1Corneoplastic Unit, Queen Victoria Hospital, NHS Trust, East Grinstead, West Sussex, UK.

Orbit (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
|December 14, 2004
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Topical medications may cause poliosis, a condition causing white hair, in patients treated for fungal eye infections. This case report highlights a potential side effect of prolonged ocular drug use.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Fungal endophthalmitis requires intensive treatment, often involving systemic and topical medications.
  • Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis is a serious ocular infection necessitating surgical intervention and prolonged medical therapy.

Observation:

  • A 37-year-old male developed unilateral poliosis 8 months post-keratoplasty for fungal endophthalmitis.
  • The poliosis persisted for over 2.5 years.
  • Complications during recovery included retinal detachment, elevated intraocular pressure, and bullous keratopathy.

Findings:

  • The development of poliosis was temporally associated with prolonged topical medication use.
  • Topical medications are strongly implicated as the causative agent for the observed poliosis.

Implications:

  • This case suggests a potential iatrogenic cause of poliosis related to ocular treatments.
  • Clinicians should be aware of poliosis as a possible adverse effect of prolonged topical ophthalmic medications.
  • Further research may be warranted to elucidate the mechanism of drug-induced poliosis.

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