Effect of ibuprofen on contrast sensitivity

Therapeutic doses of ibuprofen (2-4'-isobutylphenyl-propionic acid) have been shown to have many deleterious effects on the nervous system. However, visual disturbances have been reported in fewer than 1% of the patients taking recommended doses of ibuprofen. The most commonly reported visual disturbances include: amblyopia, scotomata, and changes in color vision. To our knowledge, no studies have examined the effects of ibuprofen therapy on the contrast sensitivity function of an affected individual. Contrast sensitivity, Snellen visual acuity, color vision (D-15 test), and Goldmann visual fields were measured on 1 affected subject during and after ibuprofen therapy (800 mg/day for 2 days). Snellen visual acuity, color vision, and Goldmann visual fields were unaffected by the treatment. However, the contrast sensitivity was significantly depressed at low spatial frequencies while the subject was taking ibuprofen. The results, in concert with previous reports concerning the visual effects of ibuprofen, suggest that this drug can result in transient multifocal lesions of the visual pathway.