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Corneal Effects of Tea Tree Oil
Brindhan Tharmarajah1, Minas Theodore Coroneo1,2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia; and.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study is to report a case of corneal epithelial defects resulting from topical treatment of blepharitis with tea tree oil (TTO).
Methods:
A 44-year-old man with a 1 year history of blepharitis non-responsive to eyelid hygiene was found to have signs of Demodex infestation. He was treated with a topical, off-label 50% TTO solution. Shortly afterward, the patient complained of bilateral ocular discomfort.
Results:
Slit-lamp examination revealed conjunctival injection and a corneal epithelial defect in both eyes. Treatment with lubricant, antibiotic, and steroid eye drops as well as bandage contact lenses was required to facilitate corneal healing.
Conclusions:
Topical use of off-label, 50% concentration TTO can result in corneal epithelial defects. Eye care professionals should remain aware of this risk and only use approved, low-concentration TTO products when treating Demodex-related blepharitis.
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