Electro-ophthalmological recovery after withdrawal from vigabatrin

This study describes the effects of stopping of the anti-epileptic drug vigabatrin on the visual field and electrophysiological changes in one third of the group of patients which is described in the paper 'Visual field and electrophysiological abnormalities due to vigabatrin' (Van der Torren and Graniewski, 2002). In 1997 several reports described the possible oculotoxic effect of vigabatrin followed by a reconsideration of this medication in epileptic patients. Vigabatrin was discontinued in one-third of the patients on chronic medication (mean duration 4.8 years). The visual field and electrophysiological examinations were repeated every 3 months if possible, otherwise at 6-month intervals. The EOG Arden index and the ERG rod b-wave showed a significant improvement when vigabatrin was discontinued. Repeated examinations of visual fields and electrophysiology shortly after discontinuation of the drug (between 1 and 3 months) and later on after 6 months and 1 year showed a recovery of the EOG Arden index and the ERG rod b-wave during this period. The visual fields did not change in either direction.

the recovery effect is a strong argument for the hypothesis that the reduction in EOG and ERG b-wave is an oculotoxic effect. The electrophysiological improvement during 6 months or longer after discontinuation and the unchanged visual fields are an argument for the hypothesis that the visual field represents the irreversible intoxicating effect on the retina, whereas the electrophysiology represents a more direct effect on the retinal glial cells level.