Reversible neurotrophic keratopathy associated with rosuvastatin therapy: A case report

Abstract

Background Rosuvastatin is a 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase enzyme inhibitor that is in wide use with few reported ocular adverse events. Objectives To report a case of bilateral neurotrophic keratopathy associated with rosuvastatin therapy that dramat-ically improved following drug discontinuation. Case presentation A 65-year-old female presented with painless diminution of vision in both eyes of gradual onset and progressive course for 1 month. She had recently started rosuvastatin therapy for hyperlipidemia. Examination revealed bilateral stage 2 neurotrophic keratopathy with impaired corneal sensation which was previously resistant to conservative ulcer treatment. Following discontinuation of rosu- vastatin therapy, there was dramatic bilateral improvement in corneal sensation, size of the corneal ulcers, and visual acuity. Conclusion Rosuvastatin may result in reversible trigeminal nerve impairment and neurotrophic keratopathy.