title: [Ocular findings in Desferal therapy].
abstract: Desferrioxamine (DFO) is the most important drug in the treatment of thalassemia major and other hematological diseases requiring regular transfusion. It eliminates excessive ferritin by building up chelate complexes. Different mechanisms of possible DFO toxicity are induction of oxidation, damage of the blood-retina barrier, or reduction in other metalloions (Cu2+, Zn2+). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the ocular side effects of DFO treatment. We prospectively examined 17 patients aged 5 to 25 years, all of them treated with DFO. Visual acuity, pupillary reaction, anterior segment, lens and fundus were checked. If possible, visual fields, color vision, dark adaptation, stereoscopic vision, and contrast sensitivity were investigated. Lens opacities were found in 41% (7/17), changes in the retinal pigment epithelium in 35% (6/17), tortuosity of retinal vessels in 24% (4/17), dilation and sheathing of the retinal vessels in 18% (3/17), defects in color vision in 29% (5/17), and abnormal dark adaptation in 18% (3/17) of the patients. The oculotoxicity of DFO is dose-dependent. Major side effects like depression of the visual acuity are partially reversible after discontinuing the therapy. Regular ophthalmological check-ups are therefore necessary.
authors.affiliation: Universitäts-Augenklinik und Poliklinik, Ulm.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Dennerlein
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stahnke
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kleihauer
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Lang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003676:Deferoxamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D003676:Deferoxamine
vernacular_title: Okuläre Befunde bei Desferaltherapie.