R S Behbehani1, E L Affel, R C Sergott, P J Savino. 1. Neuro-ophthalmology Service, Wills Eye Hospital, 840 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. r_behbehani@hotmail.com
Abstract
AIM: To determine the anatomical site and extent of electrophysiological dysfunction in patients with ethambutol associated visual loss. METHODS: A comparative case series. Four patients with ethambutol associated visual loss underwent multifocal electroretinography (mERG). Two patients had advanced visual loss while two had early signs of toxicity. The N1-P1, N1, P1 amplitudes, N1, and P1 latencies were compared to 10 age and sex matched controls. RESULTS: mERG abnormalities were detected in the ethambutol treated patients. The N1 amplitude was significantly lower in the ethambutol treated patients than in the control group. CONCLUSION: Ethambutol is possibly toxic to the retina, and not only the optic nerve. The multifocal ERG may be of value to diagnose and monitor patients taking ethambutol.
AIM: To determine the anatomical site and extent of electrophysiological dysfunction in patients with ethambutol associated visual loss. METHODS: A comparative case series. Four patients with ethambutol associated visual loss underwent multifocal electroretinography (mERG). Two patients had advanced visual loss while two had early signs of toxicity. The N1-P1, N1, P1 amplitudes, N1, and P1 latencies were compared to 10 age and sex matched controls. RESULTS: mERG abnormalities were detected in the ethambutol treated patients. The N1 amplitude was significantly lower in the ethambutol treated patients than in the control group. CONCLUSION:Ethambutol is possibly toxic to the retina, and not only the optic nerve. The multifocal ERG may be of value to diagnose and monitor patients taking ethambutol.
Authors: Michael F Marmor; Donald C Hood; David Keating; Mineo Kondo; Mathias W Seeliger; Yozo Miyake Journal: Doc Ophthalmol Date: 2003-03 Impact factor: 2.379
Authors: D S Prince; D D Peterson; R M Steiner; J E Gottlieb; R Scott; H L Israel; W G Figueroa; J E Fish Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 1989-09-28 Impact factor: 91.245