J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2021 Apr;62(4):561-565. 10.3341/jkos.2021.62.4.561.

Two Cases of Toxic Keratoconjunctivitis due to Ginkgo Nut Contact

• Oh JS
• Choi MY
• Cho YK

• KMID: 2515591
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2021.62.4.561

Abstract

Purpose
To report two cases of keratoconjunctivitis induced by gingko nut contact.
Case summary
These cases report two old patients with severe keratoconjunctivitis who had recently touched ginkgo nuts and then the periorbital area and eyes. In both patients, slit lamp examination found severe chemosis and corneal edema with moderate Descemet membrane folding. Specular microscopy showed diffuse damage of endothelial cells in acute stage of the disease. The patients were treated with oral and topical steroid and antihistamine over two weeks and showed slow recovery.
Conclusions
Contact with ginkgo nut can induce severe keratoconjunctivitis to the periorbital area. Special caution is recommended when after contacting ginkgo nuts.

Keyword

Ginkgo nut; Keratoconjunctivitis; Toxicity