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Visual disturbance secondary to clomiphene citrate
1Midwest Eye Institute, Methodist Hospital of Indiana, Indianapolis, USA.
Archives of Ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|April 1, 1995
Summary
Clomiphene citrate treatment can cause persistent visual disturbances like afterimages and photophobia. These visual changes may be irreversible, even after discontinuing the medication.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Clomiphene citrate is a common medication used to treat infertility.
- Visual side effects from clomiphene are typically considered transient.
Observation:
- Three women aged 32-36 experienced persistent visual abnormalities including palinopsia, peripheral shimmering, and photophobia during clomiphene treatment.
- Neuro-ophthalmologic examinations and electrophysiologic studies were normal in affected patients.
- Unlike previous reports, visual symptoms persisted for 2-7 years after medication cessation.
Findings:
- Clomiphene citrate can induce prolonged and potentially irreversible visual disturbances.
- The constellation of symptoms includes afterimages, shimmering visual field, and photophobia.
- Normal neuro-ophthalmologic findings contrast with the persistent subjective visual complaints.
Implications:
- Clinicians should be aware of the risk of persistent visual abnormalities with clomiphene citrate.
- Patients experiencing these visual symptoms should be informed about the possibility of irreversible changes.
- Questioning past clomiphene use is crucial for diagnosing unexplained visual disturbances.