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¹M.D., Ankara Onkology Training and Research Hospital, Eye Clinic, Ankara/TURKEY
²M.D. Asistant, Fatih University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Ankara/TURKEY
³M.D. Associate Professor, Pamukkale University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Denizli/TURKEY We report a case of bilateral persisting corneal epithelial defect in a lung cancer patient associated with erlotinib treatment. A 45 years old woman who was treated with erlotinib for lung cancer, presented with bilateral persistent corneal epithelial defect resistant to conservative treatment. Intensive lubrication, moxifloxacin, prednisolone acetate, and bandage contact lens was applied; however, the epithelial defect persisted. After interruption of the erlotinib treatment, the abrasion healed within 2 weeks and had no recurrence. Inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) may cause a defective corneal epithelial wound repair. EGFR inhibitors such as erlotinib have an increased usage in chemotherapy; therefore ophthalmologists must be aware of their potential ocular side effects. Keywords : Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor, erlotinib, corneal epithelial defect