[Study of the ocular toxicity of ethambutol]

Thirty cases were studied, of children aged between 4 and 5 years, with latent or manifest (overt) pulmonary tuberculosis under treatment with etambutol (EMB) administered intermittently (2/7) in amounts of 25 mg. per kg of body weight. Ophtalmological investigations consisted in evaluation of the visual acuity, of the visual field, of the chromatic sense, pupillary reflexes and an examination of the fundus. These were performed before the start of the treatment, then at 3 and 6 months after the treatment was begun. No cases of toxic ocular manifestations was recorded. The results are discussed on the basis of data from the literature, and care is recommended in the administration of etambutol.