J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2014 Feb;55(2):293-297. 10.3341/jkos.2014.55.2.293.

Superficial Punctate Keratoepitheliopathy Under Treatment with Erlotinib and Lapatinib

• Oh EK
• Jo DH
• Kim MK
• Wee WR

• KMID: 2218426
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2014.55.2.293

Abstract

PURPOSE
To report the corneal superficial punctate keratoepitheliopathy in 2 patients taking the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, erlotinib and lapatinib, respectively.
CASE SUMMARY
Case 1, who received erlotinib, showed trichomegaly without touching the cornea and diffuse punctate keratoepitheliopathy. Corneal epitheliopathy and the corresponding symptoms resolved after discontinuation of the drug then recurred with reapplication. Case 2 presented diffuse corneal punctate epithelial erosions that developed without any cilia involvement after the patient was administered lapatinib. The visual acuity of both patients was not severely diminished and keratoepitheliopathy was mostly resolved with the treatment of preservative-free artificial tears and autologous serum eye drops.
CONCLUSIONS
Erlotinib and lapatinib are both likely to cause visually tolerable corneal punctate keratoepitheliopathy which can be resolved with appropriate topical treatment.

Keyword

Cancer treatment; Corneal erosion; Epidermal growth factor

MeSH Terms

Cilia
Cornea
Epidermal Growth Factor
Humans
Ophthalmic Solutions
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor
Visual Acuity
Erlotinib Hydrochloride
Epidermal Growth Factor
Ophthalmic Solutions
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor

Figure

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  Figure 1. Case 1 using erlotinib showed punctate epithelial erosions on the inferior halves of the cornea in both eyes at initial examinations (A: right eye, C: left eye). With preservative-free artificial tears and autologous serum eye drops, erosions nearly all disappeared (B: right eye, D: left eye).

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  Figure 2. Case 2 showed diffuse punctuate keratopathy in both eyes after taking lapatinib for 6 months (A: right eye, B: left eye). After 3 month treatment, the erosions decreased (C: right eye, D: left eye).

Reference

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