OCULAR TOXICITY OF DIEFFENBACHIA PLANT SAP IN RABBITS

To study the course of events in rabbit eyes exposed to Dieffenbachia plant sap and effect of juice type on the severity of injury. Methods: Twenty-six rabbits (51 eyes) randomly divided into four groups and exposed to four types of juice (leaf juice, stalk juice, stem free running and stem squeezed extract). The eyes were examined in ambient light and by slit lamp, until the sixth week. For histopathologic examinations; the corneoscleral buttons were stained by hematoxylin and eosin and examined by light microscopy. Results: The most severe clinical manifestations were seen with the juice of stem. The most common findings in all groups were corneal epithelial erosions and needle shaped stromal crystals, that gradually disappeared spontaneously. Corneal edema was only seen in eight cases of stem juice exposure. It was the best factor related to developing corneal vascularization (p.v=0.0002). Permanent corneal vascularization and scarring was seen in four cases, all exposed to stem juice. Conclusion: Most of ocular injuries caused by dieffenbachia sap are reversible, except for corneal vascularization and scarring which is caused by the sap of mainstem and is highly associated with corneal edema, mandating extensive ophthalmic care upon exposure.