June 2023
Volume 64, Issue 8
Open Access
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   June 2023
Toxic conjunctivitis from facial cosmetics: Description of the pathology and evaluation of topical treatment with unpreserved hydrocortisone 3,35 mg/ml and ketotifen 0,25 mg/ml
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Kostas G Boboridis
    First Ophthalmology Department, Aristoteleio Panepistemio Thessalonikes Schole Epistemon Ygeias, Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece
  • Agni Mokka
    First Ophthalmology Department, Aristoteleio Panepistemio Thessalonikes Schole Epistemon Ygeias, Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships   Kostas Boboridis Thea, Santen, Bausch Health, Code C (Consultant/Contractor); Agni Mokka None
  • Footnotes
    Support  None
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science June 2023, Vol.64, 2939. doi:
  • Views
  • Share
  • Tools
    • Alerts
      ×
      This feature is available to authenticated users only.
      Sign In or Create an Account ×
    • Get Citation

      Kostas G Boboridis, Agni Mokka; Toxic conjunctivitis from facial cosmetics: Description of the pathology and evaluation of topical treatment with unpreserved hydrocortisone 3,35 mg/ml and ketotifen 0,25 mg/ml. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2023;64(8):2939.

      Download citation file:


      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

      ×
  • Supplements
Abstract

Purpose : To describe the frequently misdiagnosed condition of toxic conjunctivitis from facial cosmetics and to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel combined topical anti-inflammatory treatment.

Methods : A retrospective review of medical records over a two-year period (2020 - 2022) identified 48 eligible patients, 42 (87%) females and 6 (13%) males with toxic conjunctivitis from facial cosmetic creams. Symptoms comprised of itchy, burning sensation and epiphora. The clinical presentation involves contact dermatitis of the nasal skin of the eyelids, follicular reaction of the palpebral conjunctiva and edema of punctum mucosa with functional stenosis. Treatment consisted of complete cessation of all facial cosmetics and topical use artificial tears with 0,24% Hyaluronic Acid, topical unpreserved hydrocortisone eyedrops 3,35 mg/ml (4 times daily for 2 weeks) and unpreserved ketotifen eyedrops 0,25 mg/ml (twice daily for 4 weeks). Follow up performed in 2, 4 and 6 weeks.

Results : All patients experienced symptoms for over two months not amenable to various regimens of preserved anti-inflammatory topical treatment. Following our unpreserved combined treatment, 41/48 (85%) patients had full recovery in 4 weeks, whereas 5/48 (15%), although improved, required reaffirming of cosmetic cessation and continued artificial tears and topical ketotifen for two more weeks until complete resolution of symptoms. At the end of 6 weeks, all patients were symptom free with no sign of conjunctival inflammation.

Conclusions : Toxic conjunctivitis from facial cosmetic creams is a frequent condition, especially in women and is often misdiagnosed as allergic conjunctivitis. Cessation of facial creams is mandatory. Topical unpreserved treatment with HA artificial tears, hydrocortisone eyedrops 3,35 mg/ml and ketotifen eyedrops 0,25 mg/ml offers highly effective anti-inflammatory action with no increase in intraocular pressure or other side effects.

This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.

 

Lower and upper palpebral conjunctiva with edema and follicular reaction before treatment and in 4 months after the completion of treatment. Note the restoration of lower punctum opening.

Lower and upper palpebral conjunctiva with edema and follicular reaction before treatment and in 4 months after the completion of treatment. Note the restoration of lower punctum opening.

×
×

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

Sign in or purchase a subscription to access this content. ×

You must be signed into an individual account to use this feature.

×