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Features of amiodarone-induced optic neuropathy
D C Macaluso1, W T Shults, F T Fraunfelder
1Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, USA. Macaluso@aol.com
American Journal of Ophthalmology
|May 20, 1999
Summary
Amiodarone optic neuropathy presents with slow, bilateral vision loss and prolonged swelling, distinct from acute, unilateral nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy. Recognizing these features aids diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Amiodarone is a widely used antiarrhythmic medication.
- Optic neuropathy is a potential adverse effect of amiodarone treatment.
- Differentiating amiodarone-induced optic neuropathy from other optic neuropathies is clinically important.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinical characteristics of amiodarone-induced optic neuropathy.
- To differentiate amiodarone optic neuropathy from nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of clinical data.
- Analysis of 73 patients with amiodarone-induced optic neuropathy.
Main Results:
- Amiodarone optic neuropathy typically shows insidious onset, slow progression, bilateral visual impairment, and prolonged optic disc edema.
- This contrasts with NAION, which presents with acute, unilateral vision loss and resolves within weeks.
- Optic disc swelling in amiodarone cases may stabilize months after drug cessation.
Conclusions:
- Distinct clinical features of amiodarone optic neuropathy can aid in diagnosis.
- Distinguishing amiodarone optic neuropathy from NAION is crucial for appropriate patient management.