Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026
10:14
Ex Vivo OCT-Based Multimodal Imaging of Human Donor Eyes for Research into Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Published on: May 26, 2023
Optical coherence tomography findings in niacin maculopathy
Hatem Marwan Dajani1, Andreas Katsuya Lauer
1The School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, and the Devers Eye Institute, Legacy Hospitals, Portland, OR 97239-4197, USA.
Summary
High doses of niacin (nicotinic acid) can cause vision problems, including cystoid macular thickening. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed characteristic changes that resolved after discontinuing niacin.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Medical Science
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Niacin (nicotinic acid) is a common vitamin supplement.
- High doses are sometimes used therapeutically.
- Ocular side effects are rare but possible.
Observation:
- A 54-year-old male developed bilateral cystoid macular thickening.
- This occurred while taking 3 grams of niacin daily.
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used for imaging.
Findings:
- OCT revealed cystoid spaces in the outer plexiform and inner nuclear layers of both eyes.
- Spaces were largest centrally in the outer plexiform layer.
- Smaller cysts were distributed more broadly in the inner nuclear layer.
Implications:
- This case highlights niacin maculopathy as a potential diagnosis for vision changes.
- OCT provides characteristic imaging findings for this condition.
- Cessation of niacin led to vision improvement and OCT normalization, suggesting reversibility.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Diabetic Retinopathy
DefinitionDiabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes affecting the retinal blood vessels.Risk FactorsDiabetic retinopathy is present in almost all individuals with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of those with type 2 diabetes after two decades of disease.The risk increases with poor glycemic control, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, pregnancy, and puberty.Although cataracts and glaucoma are also more frequent in people with diabetes, retinopathy remains the leading...
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
01:27Atherosclerosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Tests
Atherosclerosis is a progressive disorder that leads to the thickening and narrowing of arterial walls due to plaque buildup. This condition can cause various symptoms depending on the arteries affected:Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): This condition affects the coronary arteries and may lead to chest pain (angina), shortness of breath (dyspnea), heart attacks, and other heart disease symptoms.Cerebrovascular Disease: This affects blood flow to the brain, causing transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)...
01:22Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways
At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category, whereas...