Camphor-related self-inflicted keratoconjunctivitis complicating delusions of parasitosis

Cornea. 2006 Dec;25(10):1254-6. doi: 10.1097/01.ico.0000230325.67074.e4.

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of camphor-related self-inflicted keratoconjunctivitis secondary to delusions of parasitosis.

Methods: A 61-year-old man with delusions of parasitosis suffered from camphor-related self-inflicted ocular trauma that manifested with corneal epithelial defects and secondary anterior chamber reaction. Two episodes of exacerbation of the ocular conditions related to the use of camphor occurred. The left eye had secondary infection with Sternotrophomonas maltophilia and Staphylococcus aureus in the second episode of exacerbation.

Results: The right eye recovered well with the treatment of topical lubricants and corticosteroids and had best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/25. The infection of the left eye led to corneal perforation, necessitating penetrating keratoplasty; BCVA was hand motions because of a mature cataract. Olanzapine therapy for 1 month to decrease the delusions of parasitosis and 24-hour watch to prevent the use of camphor led to the resolution of self-inflicted keratoconjunctivitis in the patient.

Conclusions: Delusions of parasitosis may lead to vision-threatening self-inflicted ocular trauma. This may be the first case report of pure camphor-related self-inflicted toxic keratoconjunctivitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anterior Chamber / drug effects
  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local / adverse effects*
  • Burns, Chemical / drug therapy
  • Burns, Chemical / etiology
  • Camphor / adverse effects*
  • Delusions / complications*
  • Delusions / drug therapy
  • Epithelium, Corneal / drug effects
  • Eye Burns / chemically induced*
  • Eye Burns / drug therapy
  • Eye Infections / microbiology
  • Eye Infections / surgery
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / surgery
  • Humans
  • Keratitis / microbiology
  • Keratitis / surgery
  • Keratoconjunctivitis / chemically induced*
  • Keratoconjunctivitis / drug therapy
  • Keratoplasty, Penetrating
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ointments / therapeutic use
  • Parasitic Diseases / psychology*
  • Self Medication / adverse effects*
  • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
  • Staphylococcal Infections / surgery
  • Staphylococcus aureus / isolation & purification
  • Stenotrophomonas maltophilia / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Anti-Infective Agents, Local
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Ointments
  • Camphor