Chlorpromazine Epithelial Keratopathy

Abstract
Nineteen of 30 chronic schizophrenic patients treated with 2,000 mg of chlorpromazine daily for six months developed an epithelial keratopathy confined to the exposed portion of the cornea and characterized by white, gray, and brown linear and curvilinear opacifications radiating from a horizontal line 2 to 3 mm below the optic axis. The condition does not significantly impair visual acuity, and is at least partially reversible. It appears to differ from the lenticular, deep corneal and conjunctival changes associated with chlorpromazine in that it is related to high daily dosage rather than total dosage. The clinical picture is reminiscent of chloroquine keratopathy.