Visual defects associated with vigabatrin: a study of epileptic argentine patients.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to assess visual alterations in a population of Argentine patients treated with the antiepileptic drug vigabatrin.


METHODS
Twenty patients receiving vigabatrin and 15 patients receiving carbamazepine were examined with automated perimetry using a Humphrey 120-point full screening strategy. In addition, scotopic flash electroretinograms were performed.


RESULTS
Of 20 patients treated with vigabatrin, two were unable to cooperate with testing. Of the remaining 18 patients, all but two showed at least one non-detected point inside the central 40 degrees of the visual field of each eye. Of the 15 carbamazepine-treated patients, three were unable to perform the study. None of the remaining 12 patients showed visual field defects. Both a- and b-wave amplitudes of the scotopic electroretinogram were significantly reduced in 12 patients receiving vigabatrin.


CONCLUSIONS
Visual field defects among patients on vigabatrin therapy may occur with a higher frequency than previously recognized. The Humphrey 120-points full field screening test and electroretinography are useful tools to assess the visual dysfunction associated with vigabatrin.
Moreno
María Cecilia
MC
Laboratory of Retinal Neurochemistry, Epilepsy Center, Ramos Mejia Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Paraguay 2155, 50 P, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Giagante
Brenda
B
Saidon
Patricia
P
Kochen
Silvia
S
Benozzi
Jorge
J
Rosenstein
Ruth E
RE
D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001118:Argentina; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004596:Electroretinography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D020888:Vigabatrin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D058609:Visual Field Tests; D014794:Visual Fields
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D002220:Carbamazepine; D020888:Vigabatrin