Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
Open Access

Abstract

Periorbital Cellulitis that Developed after Alternative Medication of Hirudo Medicinalis Application

Furkan Fatih GülyeÅŸil, Mehmet Cem Sabaner, Rahmi Duman, Ersan Çetinkaya and ReÅŸat Duman

We aimed to present a case of periorbital (preseptal) cellulitis that developed after Hirudo medicinalis alternative medicine application for glaucoma treatment which can be rarely seen in routine ophthalmology practice. A 36 year old woman with a glaucoma was admitted to our outpatient clinic because of redness, pain and swelling around the right eye for three days and gave a history of leech application 1 week ago, that recommended by her relatives as a remedy for glaucoma. Orbital cellulitis was excluded and cure was achieved with oral ciprofloxacin and flurbiprofen treatment. Patients with chronic diseases such as glaucoma, they are abandoning the treatment over time, will seek solutions from alternative medicine. These inappropriate treatments without scientific evidence can cause various complications. Physicians should maintain proper communication with the patients inform them about their chronic diseases (e.g. glaucoma) to make them the part of the solution and treatments.