Retinal phototoxicity induced by hydrochlorothiazide after exposure to a UV tanning device.
UV radiation is known to cause acute and chronic eye and skin damage. The present case report describes the occurrence of hydrochlorothiazide-induced retinal phototoxicity immediately after exposure to UV light emanated from a sunbed in a 40-year-old myopic woman. During the tanning session she had always worn UV protective eyewear, except for a few minutes when she took the protective goggles off to put her spectacles on to locate and turn the timer switch off. At baseline her visual acuity was 10/25 in OD and 10/80 in OS. Fundus examination revealed the presence of retinal lesions in both eyes. More specific tests confirmed the presence of a phototoxic macular damage. Hydrochlorothiazide was discontinued, and she was recommended to wear UV filtering glasses. Over the follow-up period (12 months), a slow and progressive visual acuity recovery in both eyes occurred. At the last check the visual acuity improvement was of about 60% from baseline in both eyes. Fundus examination showed only a juxtafoveal flat pigmented scar of the retinal pigment epithelium in both eyes, milder in OD. The constant rise in the number of sunbed users makes the knowledge of UV-related side effects a problem that cannot be postponed further. Awareness of the general public about the harmful effects of UV exposure must represent one of the leading preventive health strategies. Therefore, a careful analysis of the medical history before the admission to a sunbed session throughout a questionnaire could represent an economic and effective measure to avoid further cases of a phototoxic macular damage in patients taking photosensitizing compounds.
Costagliola
Ciro
C
Dipartimento di Scienze per la Salute, Università degli Studi del Molise, Campobasso, Italy.
Menzione
Massimo
M
Chiosi
Flavia
F
Romano
Mario R
MR
Della Corte
Michele
M
Rinaldi
Michele
M
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000633:toxicity*; D010777:Photochemistry; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D055108:Sunbathing; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide