Topiramate and asymptomatic ocular angle narrowing: a prospective pilot study

To investigate whether subclinical ciliochoroidal effusion and resulting asymptomatic angle narrowing occurs in patients taking topiramate, by ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM).

Chinese patients aged 18-75 years for whom topiramate was indicated were recruited. Examinations including UBM were performed before and 4 weeks after commencement of topiramate.

In this pilot of 20 eyes of 20 patients, there were no statistically significant changes in the angle parameters noted on gonioscopy or UBM, including anterior chamber depth, angle-opening distance at 500 mum, trabecular ciliary process distance, trabecular-iris angle, and scleral thickness.

Short-term use of topiramate does not induce asymptomatic angle narrowing.