Drugs and the retina

The retina is relatively protected from systemic drug administration because of the blood-retinal barrier, a highly selective mechanism adapted to providing a regulated homeostatic environment for this highly specialised tissue. However, a number of drugs have been associated with retinal toxicity. Vigabatrin, as an adjunctive therapy for the management of partial epilepsy, is associated with visual field defects in approximately 40% of patients. Hydroxychloroquine, used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, is also associated with a retinopathy. In view of this, ophthalmological screening and monitoring is recommended during prescription of both of these drugs. In these cases, the retina is the site for an adverse drug reaction and the dose of therapy may be important in determining the likelihood of retinal toxicity. However, in the case of cytomegalovirus retinitis, the retina is the intended site for pharmacological action. The treatment of this condition with the antiviral agents ganciclovir, valganciclovir, foscarnet and cidofovir, can also be associated with significant systemic toxicity.