RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Corneal calcification following intensified treatment with sodium hyaluronate artificial tears
JF British Journal of Ophthalmology
JO Br J Ophthalmol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.
SP 285
OP 288
DO 10.1136/bjo.2005.082792
VO 90
IS 3
A1 W Bernauer
A1 M A Thiel
A1 M Kurrer
A1 A Heiligenhaus
A1 K M Rentsch
A1 A Schmitt
A1 C Heinz
A1 A Yanar
YR 2006
UL http://bjo.bmj.com/content/90/3/285.abstract
AB Aim: To report a potential adverse effect of intensified treatment with sodium hyaluronate artificial tears. Methods: Five cases of deep calcium deposition in the cornea associated with ocular surface disease and frequent use of hyaluronic acid artificial tears are described. All patients used one formulation of phosphate buffered hyaluronate eye drops when rapid calcification developed. All eyes required corneal graft surgery for visual rehabilitation. Specimens at keratoplasty were available for light microscopy and investigation by dispersive x ray analysis. The phosphate concentration in the medication used for topical treatment was measured and compared to alternative hyaluronate preparations. Results: Light microscopy showed dense mineralisation of the entire stroma. The crystalline deposits consisted of hydroxyapatite, Ca5(PO4)3OH. A 50-fold higher concentration of phosphate was measured in the sodium hyaluronate eye drops used for treatment (50.9 mmol/l) when compared with normal serum. The other hyaluronate formulations showed phosphate concentrations from <0.1 mmol/l to 10.9 mmol/l. Conclusions: The hyaluronate artificial tear formulation “Hylo-Comod” favours the formation of insoluble crystalline calcium phosphate deposits in presence of epithelial keratopathy. This is because of its high phosphate concentration and typically frequent instillation. Manufacturers and prescribers should be aware that topical preparations may contain considerable amounts of phosphate which may lead to sight threatening corneal complications.