Vortex keratopathy associated with atovaquone.

PURPOSE: We studied a case of vortex keratopathy that was associated with the use of atovaquone.

METHOD: A patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) with pulmonary Pneumocystis carinii was treated with 750 mg of atovaquone three times a day.

RESULTS

Similar to previous findings of drug-induced vortex keratopathy, atovaquone vortex keratopathy is presumably caused by its lipophilic properties. This property is similar to that of other lipophilic agents such as amiodarone, chloroquine, chlorpromazine, quinacrine, and suramin.

CONCLUSION

Atovaquone should be added to the list of agents causing vortex keratopathy involving the corneal epithelium.