Keratouveitis from Euphorbia cyparissias exposure is a temporal phenomenon

Abstract

We present the case of an 82-year-old woman with severe keratouveitis secondary to exposure to the plant Euphorbia cyparissias during the month of August. Despite copious irrigation of both eyes, she developed a case of Euphorbia keratouveitis that was typical in its course. Exposure to plant sap from this species should be treated much like an alkaline chemical injury as the pH of the ocular surface may be elevated. E. cyparissias should be carefully handled as it may result in keratouveitis, especially in early autumn.

Keywords:

• Euphorbia cyparissias
• sap
• keratitis
• uveitis

Acknowledgment

The Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina Hospitals, is a recipient of an unrestricted grant from Research to Prevent Blindness.

Disclosure

The authors have no financial or proprietary interest in materials and/or methods mentioned in this manuscript.