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Ocular myasthenia and nitrofurantoin
B N Wasserman1, T E Chronister, B I Stark
1Chester County Eye Care Associates, West Chester, Pennsylvania 19380, USA. Bnwass27@aol.com
American Journal of Ophthalmology
|October 12, 2000
Summary
Nitrofurantoin, an antibiotic, may trigger ocular myasthenia, a condition causing double vision and drooping eyelids. Symptoms in a child resolved after stopping the medication, suggesting a potential drug-induced effect.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Ophthalmology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Ocular myasthenia is a neuromuscular disorder affecting eye muscles.
- Nitrofurantoin is a commonly prescribed antibiotic for urinary tract infections.
Observation:
- A 10-year-old female developed diplopia (double vision) and ptosis (drooping eyelid) during nitrofurantoin treatment post-urinary tract surgery.
- A sleep test confirmed the diagnosis of ocular myasthenia.
Findings:
- Discontinuation of nitrofurantoin led to the resolution of the patient's ocular myasthenia symptoms.
- This case suggests a potential association between nitrofurantoin administration and the development of ocular myasthenia.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider nitrofurantoin as a potential cause of new-onset ocular myasthenia.
- Further research may be warranted to explore the mechanism of drug-induced ocular myasthenia.
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