Electro-ophthalmology and side-effects of drugs.

Diagnostic procedures have to be directed towards the prevention of irreversible changes. In this respect, patients using chloroquine have to be examined at least once a year. The most sensitive methods for detecting early reversible changes are the electro-oculogram and static perimetry. The latter is probably more specific. Concerning ethambutol, the patients themselves are aware of the onset because a decrease in visual acuity and a central scotoma are early and reversible symptoms. In these cases electro-ophthalmology is of help when the diagnosis is doubtful. Iatrogenic effects of other drugs are not seen regularly in our electro-ophthalmological departments.