title: Retinoids and the eye.
abstract: Systemic retinoids are being used more frequently to treat various disorders of the skin, particularly disorders of keratinization. They are promising agents for chemoprevention of cancer and as such may be widely used in the future. Both natural and synthetic retinoids may affect the eye, both on the surface epithelium and the visual metabolism. Three basic effects of pharmacologic doses of synthetic retinoids have been seen. Blepharoconjunctivitis has been particularly prominent with isotretinoin use. Pseudotumor cerebri has been reported sporadically. Recently, night blindness has been reported with both isotretinoin and fenretinide. The greater use of isotretinoin may be more important in explaining the increased incidence of these side effects than is the individual metabolism of the different available synthetic retinoids. These three major side effects of the eye will be carefully evaluated as newer synthetic retinoids are proposed for further trials. Fortunately, it seems that all of these ocular manifestations are dose dependent and reversible, giving the clinician several alternatives to adjust the treatment regimen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington.
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Helfgott
mesh_terms: D001762:Blepharitis / Q000139:chemically induced; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000139:chemically induced; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D009755:Night Blindness / Q000139:chemically induced; D010211:Papilledema / Q000139:chemically induced; D011559:Pseudotumor Cerebri / Q000139:chemically induced; D012176:Retinoids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D012176:Retinoids