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Case Reports
. 1999 Dec;27(6):440-2.
doi: 10.1046/j.1440-1606.1999.00246.x.

Ring keratitis from topical anaesthetic misuse

S K Webber  1 , G L Sutton, M A Lawless, C M Rogers
Affiliations
Case Reports

Ring keratitis from topical anaesthetic misuse

S K Webber et al. Aust N Z J Ophthalmol. 1999 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Topical anaesthetic abuse is now an established differential diagnosis of ring keratitis. Published evidence suggests that this condition often has a poor prognosis, with the eyes sometimes requiring penetrating keratoplasty or the patient becoming blind.

Method: A case of topical anaesthetic abuse and its subsequent management is presented. Ocular examination including pachymetry and specular microscopy is reported.

Results: The cornea made an excellent recovery, allowing a visual acuity of 6/6. Pachymetry showed corneal thickening and specular microscopy demonstrated a decreased cell count in the affected eye.

Conclusions: With prompt recognition and appropriate treatment the prognosis for these cases can be excellent. However, there is evidence to suggest permanent cellular damage to the endothelium.

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