Ophthalmic preparations are commonly used medications that have been implicated in causing a variety of dermatological reactions. These reactions include toxic epidermal necrolysis, anaphylaxis, fixed drug eruption, lichenoid drug reaction and local and systemic contact dermatitis. This article reviews the dermatological and systemic reactions associated with ophthalmic preparation use and highlights the need for a thorough medication history to be done for all patients presenting with a suspected drug reaction.
Keywords: Stevens-Johnson syndrome; anaphylaxis; dermatitis; drug reaction; eye-drop; lichenoid drug eruption; ophthalmic medication; skin atrophy; toxic epidermal necrolysis.
© 2014 The Australasian College of Dermatologists.