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Amiodarone: A potential risk factor for retinal phototoxicity
Komal M Joshi1, Manjot K Gill1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 645 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 440, Chicago, IL, USA.
American Journal of Ophthalmology Case Reports
|March 6, 2018
Summary
This case report details amiodarone-induced retinal phototoxicity after vitrectomy surgery. Systemic amiodarone use may increase retinal sensitivity to intraoperative light, causing vision loss.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Amiodarone, a medication for atrial fibrillation, is known to cause photosensitivity.
- Retinal phototoxicity can result from exposure to light, especially when photosensitizing drugs are involved.
Observation:
- A 66-year-old male on amiodarone developed severe vision loss post-vitrectomy.
- Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) revealed macular edema, pigmentary changes, and subretinal fibrosis.
- Findings suggested phototoxic damage from intraoperative light exposure.
Findings:
- The patient experienced persistent vision impairment (count finger at 1 foot) despite resolution of macular edema.
- SD-OCT showed retinal pigment epithelium hyperplasia and an indistinct ellipsoid layer at one month.
- Fluorescein angiography ruled out neovascularization.
Implications:
- This case highlights a potential risk of amiodarone-induced retinal phototoxicity during ophthalmic surgery.
- Ophthalmologists should be aware of amiodarone's photosensitizing effects when managing patients undergoing procedures with light exposure.
- Further investigation into the mechanism and prevention of amiodarone-related phototoxicity is warranted.
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