Electro-oculography, electroretinography, visual evoked potentials, and multifocal electroretinography in patients with vigabatrin-attributed visual field constriction.
OBJECTIVE
Symptomatic visual field constriction thought to be associated with vigabatrin has been reported. The current study investigated the visual fields and visual electrophysiology of eight patients with known vigabatrin-attributed visual field loss, three of whom were reported previously. Six of the patients were no longer receiving vigabatrin.


METHODS
The central and peripheral fields were examined with the Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer. Full visual electrophysiology, including flash electroretinography (ERG), pattern electroretinography, multifocal ERG using the VERIS system, electro-oculography, and flash and pattern visual evoked potentials, was undertaken.


RESULTS
Seven patients showed marked visual field constriction with some sparing of the temporal visual field. The eighth exhibited concentric constriction. Most electrophysiological responses were usually just within normal limits; two patients had subnormal Arden electro-oculography indices; and one patient showed an abnormally delayed photopic b wave. However, five patients showed delayed 30-Hz flicker b waves, and seven patients showed delayed oscillatory potentials. Multifocal ERG showed abnormalities that sometimes correlated with the visual field appearance and confirmed that the deficit occurs at the retinal level.


CONCLUSIONS
Marked visual field constriction appears to be associated with vigabatrin therapy. The field defects and some electrophysiological abnormalities persist when vigabatrin therapy is withdrawn.
Harding
G F
GF
Neurosciences Research Institute, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Wild
J M
JM
Robertson
K A
KA
Lawden
M C
MC
Betts
T A
TA
Barber
C
C
Barnes
P M
PM
D000328:Adult; D004585:Electrooculography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D020888:Vigabatrin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D058609:Visual Field Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D020888:Vigabatrin