Optic neuropathies caused by toxins and adverse drug reactions

Toxic optic neuropathy refers to the ingestion of a toxin or an adverse drug reaction that results in vision loss from optic nerve damage. Patients may present with bilateral sudden loss of vision in the setting of an acute intoxication or an insidious asymmetric loss of vision from an adverse drug...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inOphthalmology clinics of North America Vol. 17; no. 3; p. 481
Main Author Kerrison, John B
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.09.2004
Subjects
Diagnosis, Differential
Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
Humans
Optic Nerve Diseases - chemically induced
Optic Nerve Diseases - diagnosis
Optic Nerve Diseases - therapy
Toxins, Biological - adverse effects
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Summary:Toxic optic neuropathy refers to the ingestion of a toxin or an adverse drug reaction that results in vision loss from optic nerve damage. Patients may present with bilateral sudden loss of vision in the setting of an acute intoxication or an insidious asymmetric loss of vision from an adverse drug reaction. Toxins and drugs associated with a toxic optic neuropathy may directly harm the optic nerve; however, some drugs are associated with an ischemic optic neuropathy or optic neuritis, in which optic nerve damage is an indirect effect of the causative agent. The most important aspect of treatment is recognition and drug withdrawal. Patients need to be appropriately counseled, particularly in the setting of amiodarone-associated optic neuropathy.
ISSN:0896-1549
1558-3856
DOI:10.1016/j.ohc.2004.05.005