ABSTRACT

The clinical and follow-up findings of a Dieffenbachia plant-induced right corneal injury in a 54-year-old female patient is reported and discussed. A female patient while taking care of a Dieffenbachia plant experienced sudden severe pain, irritation, foreign body sensation and tearing. With these complaints, the patient was evaluated in our clinic. Her cornea was full of hundreds of rod-like crystals with pinpoint ends. The patient was started on medical treatment and closely followed. After treatment, patient’s clinic condition improved. Dieffenbachia-related ocular trauma is a very rare condition. A very common household plant in our country, if threatened, it can protect itself by expressing these highly effective calcium oxalate crystals packaged into bundles called raphides. This condition can be severely dangerous for children and pets that can get very close to the Dieffenbachia leaves. (Turk J Ophthalmol 2011; 41: 54-6)