[Canthaxanthin retinopathy without intake of canthaxanthin]

Seven patients are described who presented with the typical fundus finding of gold-colored crystals in the superficial layers of retina in the macular area (characteristic of canthaxanthin retinopathy) without having taken canthaxanthin-containing drugs. Canthaxanthin used as a food additive is discussed as a possible cause of the crystal deposition. There may be a rather high individual tendency to develop crystal deposition, possibly related to a metabolic defect affecting canthaxanthin kinetics or to pre-existing changes in the retinal pigment epithelium. In one patient a slight decrease in crystalline deposition was observed in the course of four years.