Amiodarone induced optic neuropathy

• Published in: British journal of ophthalmology Vol. 87; no. 4; pp. 420 - 422
• Main Authors: Nagra, P K, Foroozan, R, Savino, P J, Castillo, I, Sergott, R C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMA House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JR BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.04.2003; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; Copyright 2003 British Journal of Ophthalmology
• Subjects: Aged; Amiodarone; Amiodarone - adverse effects; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents - adverse effects; Ataxia; Automation; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiac arrhythmia; Causes of; Color Perception - physiology; Defects; Drug dosages; Drug toxicity and drugs side effects treatment; Eye diseases; Fluorescein Angiography - methods; Glaucoma and intraocular pressure; Health aspects; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Ophthalmology; Optic Disk; Optic Nerve Diseases - chemically induced; Optic Nerve Diseases - pathology; Optic Nerve Diseases - physiopathology; optic neuropathy; Patients; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Retinal Diseases - chemically induced; Retrospective Studies; Scientific Correspondence; Toxicity: eye; Visual Acuity - physiology; Case study; Human; Eye disease; Nervous system diseases; Cranial nerve disease; Optic nerve; Treatment; Toxicity; Amiodarone; Neuropathy; Antiarrhythmic agent; Iodine Organic compounds
• ISSN: 0007-1161; 1468-2079
• DOI: 10.1136/bjo.87.4.420

Aim: To determine the clinical features of amiodarone induced optic neuropathy, which may help distinguish it from non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy. Methods: Retrospective observational case series of patients diagnosed with amiodarone induced optic neuropathy at the neuro-ophthalmology service from March 1998 to February 2001. Amiodarone was discontinued after discussion with the patient's cardiologist. Visual acuity, colour vision, automated perimetry, and funduscopy were performed on initial and follow up examinations. Results: Three patients with amiodarone induced optic neuropathy presented with mildly decreased vision, visual field defects, and bilateral optic disc swelling. Upon discontinuing the medication, visual function and optic disc swelling slowly improved in all three patients. Conclusion: Amiodarone induced optic neuropathy can present with visual dysfunction, and is typically a bilateral process. Upon discontinuation of amiodarone, slow resolution of optic disc swelling occurs and visual function improves in some patients.