Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 5, 2025
Establishing a Severe Corneal Inflammation Model in Rats Based on Corneal Epithelium Curettage Combined with Corneal Sutures
Published on: November 22, 2024
Two pediatric cases of reticular corneal epithelial edema associated with netarsudil
Maria A Guzman Aparicio1,2, Daniel L Liebman1, James Chodosh1,3
1Harvard Medical School, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston, MA, USA.
Insights
Netarsudil ophthalmic solution can cause reticular corneal epithelial edema in pediatric patients. This side effect, observed in two young males, resolved after discontinuing the medication.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Corneal Diseases
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
Background:
- Netarsudil ophthalmic solution 0.02% is a Rho kinase inhibitor used for glaucoma treatment.
- Pediatric glaucoma management presents unique challenges, including potential medication side effects.
Observation:
- Two pediatric cases of reticular corneal epithelial edema associated with netarsudil use are presented.
- Case 1: A 6-year-old male developed edema after netarsudil treatment and diode cyclophotocoagulation.
- Case 2: A 3-month-old male developed edema after initiating netarsudil for ocular hypertension.
Findings:
- Reticular corneal epithelial edema occurred in both pediatric patients during netarsudil therapy.
- Edema resolved in both cases upon discontinuation of netarsudil.
- The onset and presentation of edema varied between the two cases.
Implications:
- Netarsudil-associated reticular corneal epithelial edema is a potential adverse event in infants and young children.
- Ophthalmologists should be aware of this side effect when prescribing netarsudil to pediatric patients.
- Monitoring for corneal changes is crucial in pediatric patients using netarsudil.
Purpose:
To report two pediatric cases of reticular corneal epithelial edema associated with the use of netarsudil ophthalmic solution 0.02%.
Observations:
In Case 1, a six-year-old male with glaucoma following cataract surgery was treated with netarsudil for thirteen months and developed diffuse reticular corneal epithelial edema on post-operative day one after undergoing transscleral diode cyclophotocoagulation for persistently elevated intraocular pressures. In Case 2, a three-month-old male with bilateral ocular hypertension developed unilateral inferior reticular corneal epithelial edema five weeks after initiation of netarsudil, which had been discontinued in the fellow eye two weeks prior. In both cases, the reticular epithelial edema resolved following cessation of netarsudil.
Conclusions And Importance:
Netarsudil-associated reticular corneal epithelial edema can occur in infants and young children.
