title: Ocular complications of neurological therapy.
abstract: Treatments used for several neurological conditions may adversely affect the eye. Vigabatrin-related retinal toxicity leads to a visual field defect. Optic neuropathy may result from ethambutol and isoniazid, and from radiation therapy. Posterior subcapsular cataract is associated with systemic corticosteroids. Transient refractive error changes may follow treatment with acetazolamide or topiramate, and corneal deposits and keratitis with amandatine. Intraocular pressure can be elevated in susceptible individuals by anticholinergic drugs, including oxybutynin, tolterodine, benzhexol, propantheline, atropine and amitriptyline, and also by systemic corticosteroids and by topiramate. Nystagmus, diplopia and extraocular muscle palsies can occur with antiepileptic drugs, particularly phenytoin and carbamazepine. Ocular neuromyotonia can follow parasellar radiation. Congenital ocular malformations can result from in utero exposure to maternally prescribed sodium valproate, phenytoin and carbamazepine. Neurologists must be aware of potential ocular toxicity of these drugs, and appropriately monitor for potential adverse events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK. savvashadjikoutis@yahoo.com
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hadjikoutis
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Morgan
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wild
authors.forename: P E M
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000086:Acetazolamide / Q000009:adverse effects; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000009:adverse effects; D000547:Amantadine / Q000009:adverse effects; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D004977:Ethambutol / Q000009:adverse effects; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005632:Fructose / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D006801:Humans; D007538:Isoniazid / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000077236:Topiramate; D020888:Vigabatrin / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D015259:Dopamine Agents; D000077236:Topiramate; D005632:Fructose; D004977:Ethambutol; D000547:Amantadine; D020888:Vigabatrin; D000086:Acetazolamide; D007538:Isoniazid