Whorl keratopathy, also known as corneal verticillate, is a rare condition which causes deposits to build up in the cornea. The most common cause of whorl keratopathy is as a side effect of medications.
Deposition in the Cornea
The cornea is the clear front portion of the eye which helps to bend light into eye and allows for vision.
When there is buildup in the cornea, the cornea becomes cloudy, and it is much more difficult to see through.
There are various conditions which can lead to deposition into the cornea. Among these conditions is whorl keratopathy.
The deposits in whorl keratopathy are often in a circular pattern which lends the name “whorl” based on the appearance when viewed under magnification.
Causes of Whorl Keratopathy
Whorl keratopathy is frequently caused by medication as a side effect of medication.
Other causes of whorl keratopathy include Fabry’s Disease, multiple myeloma, epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, neurotrophic keratitis, or and iron deposition in the cornea.
Among these conditions, Fabry’s Disease is the most commonly associated with whorl keratopathy.
Medications which Can Cause Whorl Keratopathy
While there are medical conditions which can result in whorl keratopathy, the majority of the cases of whorl keratopathy are as a result of medication.
Medications that can cause whorl keratopathy include medications for arrhythmia (amiodarone), anti-psychotics (chlorpromazine), anti-inflammatory medications (chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine), and a medication for glaucoma (netarsudil).
Managing Medications that Cause Whorl Keratopathy
The medications that can cause whorl keratopathy are often used without issue if the need is for short term therapy.
For instance, hydroxychloroquine is commonly used as a treatment for malaria cases and will be used for only a few weeks.
This short-term use does not have a high risk of developing whorl keratopathy.
However, there are medications which are used as a chronic treatment – like amiodarone and netarsudil – which can result in whorl keratopathy.
For any medication which can cause whorl keratopathy, one of the biggest factors in determining the risk of developing whorl keratopathy is the duration of the treatment.
Using one of these high-risk medications for chronic therapy must be considered by the prescribing doctor as well as your eye doctor when evaluating whether to continue with the current medication or switching to another medication.
When to See an Eye Doctor for Whorl Keratopathy
If you are taking a high-risk medication, have Fabry’s disease, or are otherwise known to be at risk for whorl keratopathy, it is important to have regular eye examinations with an emphasis on the cornea to ensure that there is no developing keratopathy.
Any changes that are made due to the development of whorl keratopathy are frequently permanent, whether it is a decrease in vision, an increase in glare and light distortion, or a change in the refractive prescription of the eye.
If your eye doctor sees that there are changes that are due to a medication, the doctor may consult with the prescriber of that medication to consider switching or discontinuing the medication to prevent more development.
Dr. Nathan Abraham and the staff of the Abraham Eye Center specializes in cataract surgery, LASIK, PRK, and various corneal surgeries. Call our ophthalmologist in Valencia, CA today at 661-977-7377 or schedule an appointment online if you are interested in learning more about whorl keratopathy. Our eye doctor provides only the highest quality eye care and surgical services amongst eye doctors in the Valencia California area.
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