Visual functions and adverse ocular effects in patients with amiodarone medication.
OBJECTIVE
To study visual functions and ocular adverse effects of long-term amiodarone medication.


METHODS
We performed an eye examination of 22 patients with long-term amiodarone medication. In addition to corrected visual acuity, colour vision was studied with the Standard Pseudoisochromatic Plates part 2 and Farnsworth-Munself 100 hue test. Contrast sensitivity was examined with the Pelli-Robson chart. Visual fields were tested by Goldmann and Friedmann perimetry.


RESULTS
Two patients with otherwise healthy eyes had abnormal blue colour vision test results. Otherwise colour vision, contrast sensitivity, and visual field test results were within normal range or could be explained by eye diseases such as cataract. Corneal drug deposits were found in 100% of the examined eyes. Slight anterior subcapsular lens opacities were found in 22.2%. Dry eyes were diagnosed in 9.1%. The eye fundi did not reveal any abnormalities that could be thought of as caused by amiodarone.


CONCLUSIONS
The slight blue colour vision defect found in two patients with otherwise healthy eyes might represent an early sign of the optic nerve impairment which is a rare complication of amiodarone medication. The number of corneal and lens changes as well as dry eyes were found at levels previously described.
Ikäheimo
Kirsi
K
Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland.
Kettunen
Raimo
R
Mäntyjärvi
Maija
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000638:Amiodarone / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003118:Color Perception; D003117:Color Vision Defects / Q000139:chemically induced*; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014794:Visual Fields
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000638:Amiodarone