Bilateral optic neuropathy after bone marrow transplantation and cyclosporin A therapy.
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.
Walter
S H
SH
Universitäts-Augenklinik Freiburg, Germany.
Bertz
H
H
Gerling
J
J
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
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D011241:Prednisone