[A Case of Corneal Injury due to Herbicide Containing Paraquat: Effectiveness of 2% Rebamipide Eye Drops].

Background: Herbicides containing paraquat are widely used and have occasionally been causing ocular damage. The initial ocular injury caused by paraquat tends to worsen within a few days to 1 week. The toxicity of paraquat is based on the oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species.

Case: An 82-year-old woman who had been exposed to herbicide containing paraquat in her left eye presented at Koumeikan Eye Clinic 2 days after the incident. Moderate corneal erosion was diagnosed and treated with ordinary medication, but the corneal lesion worsened. After administration of topical 2% rebamipide eye drops, the corneal lesion resolved rapidly.

Conclusion: Because of its role as a radical scavenger, rebamipide has great potential for treatment of corneal injuries caused by herbicides such as paraquat.