Ophthalmic manifestations of Paederus dermatitis

Abstract

To report the pattern of ophthalmic manifestations associated with Paederus dermatitis (PD). Department of Ophthalmology, Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Amritsar, India. Clinic-based retrospective study. Medical charts of patients presenting to the eye clinic with clinical features consistent with the diagnosis of PD from May 1, 2014 to April 30, 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Relevant demographic and clinical data of periocular and ocular findings were collected and analyzed. The patients with a history of chronic skin disorders or allergies were excluded from the study. A total of 56 patients were included in the study, of which 39 (69.6%) were males. The age range was 4-65years with a median of 27years. On presentation, common subjective symptoms were burning sensation in 49 (87.5%), itching in 37 (66.1%), watering in 25 (44.6%), foreign body sensation in 19 (33.9%), blurring of vision in 17 (30.4%), and photophobia in 12 (21.4%) patients. Visual acuity at presentation was 20/20 in 39 (69.6%) patients, between 20/30 and 20/80 in 9 (16.1%) patients, and less than 20/80 in 8 (14.3%) patients. Lid swelling, erythema, crusts, and vesicles were the common periocular findings; and conjunctival hyperemia, discharge, and corneal erosions were the common ocular findings. The current study shows that PD can cause significant ocular morbidity. Ophthalmologists, especially those who work in endemic areas, should be aware of this entity both in terms of management as well as for educating patients about the preventive measures.