Amiodarone induced retrobulbar neuritis. Clinical case
Bartolucci, J.; Ibáñez, P.; Verdugo, C.; Fuentes, R.; Arriagada, G.; Torres, J.
Revista Medica de Chile 127(7): 827-830
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0034-9887 PMID: 10668291 Document Number: 503803
We report a 66 years old male, with an ophtalmologic history of long sightedness, admitted to the hospital due to paroxysmal atrial fibrillation crises in the context of a coronary heart disease. He was treated with i.v. amiodarone, receiving a total dose of 6 g in 72 hours. After the third day of treatment, the patient noticed a correction of his long sightedness and 24 h later, he complained of hlurred vision and orbital frontal headache. Visual field examination revealed a concentric retraction of visual field and a centrocecal scotoma in both eyes. Amiodarone was withdrawn and dexametasone treatment was begun. Three days after amiodarone discontinuation, sight improved and visual field returned to normal. Although retrobulbar neuritis has been associated to various drugs, amiodarone has not been considered as a possible agent.