Ocular Toxicity due to Accidental Exposure to Plant Latex by Calotropis procera and Calotropis gigantea
Introduction: Calotropis is a member of the milkweed or Asclepiadeae family. The latex of Calotropis gigantea (C gigantea) contains cardiac glycosides, fatty acids and calcium oxalate. The sap of Calotropis procera (C procera) produces acidic latex. Toxic effect of latex manifests after a few ho...
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| Autores principales: | , , , |
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| Formato: | article |
| Lenguaje: | EN |
| Publicado: |
JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2021
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| Acceso en línea: | https://doaj.org/article/71a892566c9e441d8cf1ea1664bf6f58 |
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| Sumario: | Introduction: Calotropis is a member of the milkweed or
Asclepiadeae family. The latex of Calotropis gigantea (C gigantea)
contains cardiac glycosides, fatty acids and calcium oxalate. The
sap of Calotropis procera (C procera) produces acidic latex. Toxic
effect of latex manifests after a few hours with diminution of vision
due to corneal oedema with folds in Descemet’s membrane.
Aim: To evaluate the ocular toxicity by the latex of calotropis
procera and calotropis gigantea due to accidental exposure.
Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational
study conducted for a duration of six months (September 2018
to February 2019) on 18 patients with alleged accidental exposure
to calotropis latex. The patients were examined in the Department
of Ophthalmology, Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS),
Mandya, Karnataka, India. After a thorough saline wash under
topical anaesthesia, visual acuity was measured by using Snellen’s
chart, then patients were subjected for slit lamp biomicroscopy
examination, Intraocular Pressure (IOP) measurement and undilated
fundus examination and the findings were noted. Demographic
details like age and sex, activity at time of injury, mode of injury
were noted and follow-up was done for a period of 30 days. Data
were analysed using Epi info software and descriptive statistics
like mean and percentage were calculated.
Results: Total 18 patients reported with calotropis associated
eye toxicity, among which 11 (61.1%) were of C gigantea and
seven (38.9%) were of C procera. Out of total, seven (38.9%)
were males and 11 (61.1%) females. A total of 14 (77.8%) patients
presented within 24 hours of injury. Eleven (61.1%) patients had
involvement of both the eyes. The main symptoms were burning,
irritation, foreign body sensation and diminution of vision. Best
Corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) varied from 6/9 to 6/60. Corneal
oedema or striate keratopathy was the most common sign.
Corneal oedema resolved in one week in case of C procera with
use of topical corticosteroids except in three cases of C gigantea
which took two weeks.
Conclusion: C procera and C gigantea causes significant corneal
oedema and ocular morbidity. By simple health education and
occupational precaution, we can prevent ocular morbidity. |
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