Calotropis Ocular Toxicity

Abstract Calotropis is widely used in traditional medicine and religious purposes. On the large scale, these plants are cultivated in India, China and Malaysia. It can cause gastrointestinal, cutaneous cardiac and ocular toxicity. Ocular toxicity is mostly accidental. Occupations mostly affected by Calotropis ocular toxicity are flower vendors, farmers and Brahmin pandits. Plucking of the flowers for religious or occupational purposes is a common mechanism of injury. There is immediate burning pain and congestion after the exposure; hence, most cases present early. Variable reduction in vision is noticed with Calotropis ocular toxicity. Various studies showed Calotropis is toxic to corneal endothelium and relatively nontoxic to epithelium. Common ocular signs noted are circumciliary congestion, corneal oedema and Descemet’s fold. Most of the studies have shown improvement in the ocular symptom and sign with antibiotic and steroid eye drops. Here, we are reporting a child with Calotropis ocular toxicity.