title: Retinal electrophysiological results in patients receiving lamotrigine monotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effects on vision in patients receiving lamotrigine (LTG) monotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four consecutive patients taking LTG for partial seizures were referred for a routine ophthalmologic examination including visual acuity testing, tonometry, slit lamp, and fundus examination. Automated kinetic perimetry, electrooculogram (EOG), and electroretinogram were performed after informed consent was obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 18 patients finally included, the clinical ophthalmologic examination showed no abnormality. Four patients complained of blurring; among them, one patient had a visual field constriction in both eyes, which, however, was of unclear clinical significance (poor compliance) and a reduced light/dark ratio of the electrooculogram. One other patient with blurred vision had a reduced EOG, but the visual field was normal. Two patients had a reduced EOG but no visual symptoms. Considering the whole group of patients receiving LTG therapy, the light/dark ratio of the EOG was reduced in a dose-dependent fashion (p < 0.0001). The electroretinogram was normal in all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No irreversible visual field impairment in patients treated with LTG was encountered, although a dose-dependent retinal toxicity may have been present. The exact cellular mechanism of the electrophysiologic changes in patients taking LTG remain to be explained.
authors: Ophtalmologie Hôpital Gui de Chauliac, F-34295 Montpellier cedex 05, France. c-arndt@chu-montpellier.fr
authors: Carl F
authors: CF
authors: Arndt
authors: Jeremie
authors: J
authors: Husson
authors: Philippe
authors: P
authors: Derambure
authors: Jean Claude
authors: JC
authors: Hache
authors: Bernard
authors: B
authors: Arnaud
authors: Sabine
authors: S
authors: Defoort-Dhellemmes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004585:Electrooculography / Q000187:drug effects*; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000187:drug effects*; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D014227:Triazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D015351:Vision Screening; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects; D058609:Visual Field Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014227:Triazines; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D000077213:Lamotrigine