[Amiodarone induced retrobulbar neuritis. Clinical case].
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 Amiodarone was withdrawn and dexametasone treatment was begun.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.
Bartolucci
J
J
Departamento de Cardiología, Hospital Dr. Gustavo Fricke, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Chile. bart1-kong2@entelchile.net
Ibáñez
P
P
Verdugo
C
C
Fuentes
R
R
Arriagada
G
G
Torres
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000638:Amiodarone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013614:Tachycardia, Paroxysmal / Q000188:drug therapy
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000638:Amiodarone