Bilateral Acute Anterior Uveitis and Optic Disc Edema Following a Snake Bite.
10.3341/kjo.2014.28.2.186
- Author:
Praveen K KUMAR
1
;
Shashi AHUJA
;
Praveen S KUMAR
Author Information
1. Department of Ophthalmology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India. smilefriend84@yahoo.com
- Publication Type:Case Reports
- Keywords:
Edema of the optic disc;
Snake bites;
Uveitis
- MeSH:
Acute Disease;
Adult;
Antivenins/*adverse effects;
Glucocorticoids/administration & dosage;
Humans;
Hyperemia/drug therapy/etiology/pathology;
Male;
Methylprednisolone/administration & dosage;
Papilledema/drug therapy/*etiology/pathology;
Snake Bites/*complications/*therapy;
Uveitis, Anterior/drug therapy/*etiology/pathology
- From:Korean Journal of Ophthalmology
2014;28(2):186-188
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The authors wish to report a case of bilateral acute anterior uveitis and optic disc edema following a hemotoxic snake bite, in order to highlight the concomitant occurrence of these conditions and the potential adverse effects of anti-snake venom (ASV). A 35-year-old male was bitten by a viper at seventeen thirty hours, and was started on ASV. Two days following treatment he experienced sudden onset redness and painful diminution of vision in both eyes (OU). On examination, the patient's visual acuity (VA) in OU was 20/200. Examination revealed fresh keratic precipitates, cells, and flare in the anterior chamber (AC), posterior synechiae, sluggish and ill-sustained pupillary reaction, and hyperemic, edematous disc with blurred margins in OU. He was started on topical steroids, cycloplegics and intravenous methylprednisolone. Following treatment, the patient showed improvement and was continued on topical medications and oral prednisolone tapered over 3 weeks, after which VA OU improved, the AC showed no cells and flare and disc edema resolved. Uveitis and optic disc edema in snake bite can either be due to the direct toxic effects of the venom or the effect of ASV. Steroids have a beneficial role in the management of these symptoms.
