Bilateral herpes simplex keratitis reactivation after lacrimal gland botulinum toxin injection

Abstract

Botulinum toxin A (BTA) injections into lacrimal gland are being used for refractory epiphora due to intractable lacrimal disorders with success rates reported from 18% to 86%. Most common side effects are transient ptosis and diplopia. We report a case of a 59-year-old female injected with 2.5 units of BTA injection in each lacrimal gland for functional epiphora. The patient had a history of herpes simplex viral keratitis that was quiescent for more than 2 years. After 3 weeks, she developed reactivation of viral keratitis bilaterally, which was successfully managed with antivirals and topical steroids. Reactivation of quiescent herpes simplex keratitis is a possibility after lacrimal gland BTA and caution should be exercised in such cases.

Keywords

• Botulinum toxin
• functional epiphora
• herpes simplex keratitis
• lacrimal gland
• reactivation