A fascinating phenomenon occurred when a six-month-old boy in Thailand received treatment for Covid-19. After being prescribed the antiviral drug favipiravir, his originally dark brown eyes transformed into a vibrant blue within just 18 hours. Favipiravir, commonly used for influenza and Ebola, has been approved for Covid treatment in some parts of Asia but does not yet have approval in the US.
Doctors in Bangkok reported that the antiviral medication released a fluorescent chemical that accumulated in the boy’s corneas, resulting in the color change. Interestingly, his eye color returned to normal five days after he stopped taking the medication.
In Thailand, favipiravir is the primary antiviral treatment given to children infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, it is important to note that this treatment has some common side effects such as increased uric acid levels, diarrhea, and a decrease in white blood cell count, accounting for approximately 20% of adverse events.
While favipiravir has been approved in several countries, including Japan, Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Moldova, and Kazakhstan, and received emergency use approval in Italy in 2020, it is still under review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US.
The case of the infant with the color-changing eyes was documented in a study published in April 2023, although the exact date of the side effect occurrence is unknown. The boy’s mother noticed the change in eye color after 18 hours of treatment, and further examination revealed no additional discoloration in other areas of his body.
An eye examination conducted after the course of treatment confirmed that the boy’s eyes were functioning normally. The researchers suggested that the fluorescence observed in the corneas could be attributed to the drug itself, its metabolites, or other tablet components.
Various medications can have effects on the eyes, with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, blood thinners, and antihistamines among them. It’s worth mentioning that certain medications used to treat glaucoma, called prostaglandins, can permanently darken the iris color.
Interestingly, this is not the first documented case of favipiravir causing a change in eye color. A 2021 study reported a similar occurrence in a 20-year-old man from India who experienced a deep blue color change in his eyes after receiving the same treatment. His eye color returned to its natural brown shade after he ceased taking the medication.
In the case of the infant, doctors found that his corneas were clear and without a bluish hue. No blue pigment deposit was observed on the surface of the iris or the anterior lens capsule.
In conclusion, while this side effect of favipiravir is intriguing, further research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms. Both the infant and the previously documented case in India serve as unique examples of this uncommon occurrence.
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