title: Optic disc edema as a possible complication of Imatinib mesylate (Gleevec).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Imatinib is effective for a variety of hematologic and nonhematologic malignancies. Well-known ocular side effects are periorbital edema, epiphora, extraocular muscle palsy, and blepharoconjunctivitis. However, optic disc edema has not been reported as a complication of imatinib mesylate. Herein, we describe a patient with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) who developed optic disc edema during treatment with imatinib.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 14-year-old Korean girl was referred to ophthalmology for a 3-week history of photopsia in both eyes. She had started taking imatinib daily 2 months previously for CML. At the initial exam, slit lamp showed optic disc edema in both eyes, even though visual acuity was 20/20 and other optic nerve function evaluations were within normal limits. We recommended to the oncologist discontinuation of the imatinib treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  When the patient was followed for 1 week after stopping imatinib treatment, the frequency of photopsia decreased and the optic disc edema improved. Because a second examination 3 weeks after discontinuation of imatinib revealed much improved optic disc edema, she restarted the imatinib treatment. No ocular side effects have been noted so far.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Optic disc edema should be considered one of the complications associated with imatinib. We propose discontinuation of the treatment for a short period when optic disc edema occurs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Soon-Il
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Dae-Hyoung
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang, Korea. bonamd@paran.com.
authors.forename: Yun-Jeong
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001549:Benzamides; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000188:drug therapy; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010211:Papilledema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
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