Iatrogenic conjunctivitis caused by contact allergy to sodium ethylmercurio-thiosalicylate

Iatrogenic conjunctivitis caused by contact allergy often goes unrecognized particularly in cases where the anamnesis and objective examination points towards other pathologies. This paper reports a case of iatrogenic conjunctivitis caused by the sodium ethylmercurio-thiosalicylate, excipient of two eye-drops used by the patient. Epicutaneous and ocular provocation tests established the cause of the inflammatory process. All therapy was suspended, and dermatologically tested 4% sodium chromoglycate cleared up the symptoms. This case indicates that more attention should be paid to the possibility of hypersensitivity towards certain drugs or excipients, especially in view of the availability of highly specific diagnostic tests such as epicutaneous and ocular provocation tests.