title: Bilateral optic neuropathy after bone marrow transplantation and cyclosporin A therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cyclosporin A (CsA) is widely used as a prophylactic and therapeutic agent against graft-versus-host disease after bone marrow transplantation. Under this condition optic neuropathy has been found and considered as a possible side effect of cyclosporin A.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 52-year-old man presented with bilateral optic disc swelling and visual loss 6 months after bone marrow transplantation. Cyclosporin A was the only medication with a known neurotoxic side effect. After cessation of cyclosporin A and treatment with oral prednisone, vision improved within 2 months. Optic disc swelling ameliorated within 6 months but partial optic atrophy developed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cyclosporin A given after bone marrow transplantation may have caused bilateral optic neuropathy in our patient. Microangiopathy of the optic nerve may be the pathogenetic mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Universitäts-Augenklinik Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bertz
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gerling
mesh_terms: D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D010211:Papilledema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014794:Visual Fields
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D011241:Prednisone