Retinoid-associated myopia in dermatologic patients: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Dermatology and Ophthalmology
• Pharmacology
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Systemic retinoids are widely used in dermatology for their keratinization normalization and proliferation modulation properties.
• Common side effects are well-documented, but ocular disturbances, particularly myopia, require further investigation due to heterogeneous findings.
• The potential correlation between retinoid use and refractive errors, specifically myopia, has not been thoroughly addressed.

Approach:

• A systematic literature review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines.
• Searches included MEDLINE, Pubmed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library using terms like retinoid, myopia, and refractive errors.
• English-language articles were considered, excluding animal and in vitro studies.

Key Points:

• Six articles were included, with varying study designs (prospective studies, case reports, retrospective analysis).
• Some studies indicated a myopic shift associated with retinoid therapy, while others showed no progression.
• One retrospective study classified myopia as a certain side effect of retinoid use.

Conclusions:

• Current literature does not establish a clear correlation between systemic retinoids and myopia development or worsening.
• While some evidence suggests a potential myopic shift, large-scale, well-controlled prospective studies are lacking.
• Ophthalmological referral is advised for ocular disturbances during retinoid therapy to rule out drug-related refractive errors.