Case report: Aquarium palytoxin induced keratoconjunctivitis.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Toxicology

Background:

• Aquarium coral keratoconjunctivitis is a rare condition caused by palytoxin exposure.
• Ocular exposure to palytoxin can lead to significant eye inflammation and vision impairment.

Observation:

• A 61-year-old male presented with pain, redness, and blurred vision after touching his eye while cleaning an aquarium.
• Clinical examination revealed conjunctival edema, mucopurulent discharge, and corneal epithelial defects with subepithelial infiltrates.
• Initial best-corrected visual acuity was 20/200 in the affected eye.

Findings:

• Treatment with topical moxifloxacin and prednisolone acetate eye drops resulted in significant improvement within 48 hours.
• Corneal healing, reduced inflammation, and improved visual acuity (20/60) were observed.
• Full visual recovery to baseline (20/25) was achieved within 10 days with gradual tapering of steroid therapy.

Implications:

• This case highlights the efficacy of a combined antibiotic and steroid eye drop regimen for palytoxin-induced keratoconjunctivitis.
• The findings contribute to the limited literature on palytoxin ocular toxicity, providing a valuable treatment resource for healthcare providers.
• Increased awareness and prompt therapeutic intervention are crucial for managing this rare but potentially sight-threatening condition.