Ocular ethambutol toxicity.
Ethambutol is an antimicrobial agent used frequently to treat tuberculosis. The most commonly recognized toxic effect of ethambutol is optic neuropathy, which generally is considered uncommon and reversible in medical literature. We describe a 43-year-old man who developed signs and symptoms of bilateral optic neuropathy during treatment with ethambutol. This case and a review of the literature show the severe and unpredictable nature of ethambutol toxicity and its potential for irreversible vision loss despite careful ophthalmologic monitoring.
Cole Eye Institute, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
Alex
A
Melamud
Gregory S
GS
Kosmorsky
Michael S
MS
Lee
D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004977:Ethambutol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D004977:Ethambutol