[Computerized perimetry in infants treated with ethambutol (author's transl)]

Computerized perimetry of the central visual field (Competer) was utilized in 12 eyes of children treated with Ethambutol because of tuberculosis to verify potential visual hazards of the drug. Visual acuity, visual field and the mean retinal threshold of the central field revealed no significant changes with increasing cumulative Ethambutol dose up to 166.5 g. The visual field was re-checked five times with a consecutive time lapse of 7 weeks. It can be concluded that the critical total dose of 150 g that is considered to be potential dangerous in adults does not affect the optic nerve of the infant either. Since this total dose can be exceeded in the continued treatment of the disease parents should be aware of the necessity of repeated visual field examinations or color vision testing. This concern is especially valid in infants suffering from renal tuberculosis because of higher plasma levels of the drug when excretion is prolonged.