Case Report: Two Cases of Keratoconjunctivitis Tied to Sargassum Algae Emanations

Since 2011, considerable amounts of Sargassum algae regularly end up on beaches in the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and in the French overseas departments. We report observations of two bilateral keratoconjunctivitis associated with important functional symptomatology. There was a conjunctival hyperemia and superficial punctate keratitis. The ocular impairment would repeat at every algae ashore landing. Clinical examination, history, and time line of symptomatology onset allowed us to eliminate the classic etiologies of bilateral keratoconjunctivitis and to suggest an irritant toxic origin tied to hydrogen sulfide. This is the first description of ocular impairment tied to Sargassum algae decomposition. Their decomposition, through H₂S emission, can be at the origin of bilateral keratoconjunctivitis. Ocular impairment is often at the forefront of complaints made by individuals exposed to H₂S.