Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
07:50
A Metadata Extraction Approach for Clinical Case Reports to Enable Advanced Understanding of Biomedical Concepts
Published on: September 20, 2018
Brimonidine allergy presenting as vernal-like keratoconjunctivitis
Aparna A Shah1, Yasha Modi, Benjamin Thomas
1*University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH †Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami ‡Miami Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Miami, FL.
Journal of Glaucoma
|May 2, 2013
Summary
Brimonidine allergy can mimic vernal keratoconjunctivitis. Promptly stopping the medication resolved allergic limbal infiltrates, highlighting the importance of distinguishing drug reactions from ocular surface disease.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Allergology
Background:
- Brimonidine is a common glaucoma medication.
- Ocular surface disease can complicate medication management.
Observation:
- A 78-year-old male with glaucoma developed unilateral eye redness and blurred vision after starting brimonidine.
- Examination revealed conjunctival injection, punctate epithelial erosions, and limbal infiltrates.
Findings:
- The presentation mimicked allergic limbal keratoconjunctivitis.
- Discontinuation of brimonidine led to resolution of limbal infiltrates.
- Persistent punctate epithelial erosions and tear abnormalities indicated underlying ocular surface disease.
Implications:
- Differentiating direct medication allergy from co-existing ocular surface disease is crucial.
- Accurate diagnosis guides appropriate patient management and treatment strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Allergic Drug Reactions
Allergic reactions related to drugs are hypersensitivity responses driven by the immune system and bear no connection to the drug's therapeutic action. While drugs in isolation do not trigger an immune response, they can interact with endogenous proteins to form antigens. These antigens stimulate lymphocytes to produce antibodies. IgE-type antibodies attach themselves to mast cells. Upon subsequent exposure to the same stimulus, the antigen-antibody interaction is initiated, unleashing numerous...
02:06Allergic Reactions
Overview
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
01:30Allergic Reactions: Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction mediated by Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. When IgE binds to allergens, it triggers the release of mediators– histamine, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins from mast cells and basophils. These mediators cause vasodilation, edema, and inflammation, leading to various symptoms.The primary allergens causing anaphylaxis include food items (e.g., peanuts, shellfish), drugs (e.g., penicillin, asparaginase, corticotropin, heparin),...
01:30Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions
Drug-related allergies are immune-mediated responses triggered by the administration of pharmacological agents. These hypersensitivity reactions are classified based on the immune mechanisms involved. The four primary types—Type I, II, III, and IV—are mediated by different immunological pathways and exhibit distinct clinical manifestations.Type I Hypersensitivity/ IgE-Mediated Reactions: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) immediately mediates Type I hypersensitivity reactions. Upon initial exposure to a...