Optic disc edema as a possible complication of Imatinib mesylate (Gleevec).
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.
Kwon
Soon-Il
SI
Department of Ophthalmology, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang, Korea.
Lee
Dae-Hyoung
DH
Department of Pediatrics, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang, Korea.
Kim
Yun-Jeong
YJ
Department of Ophthalmology, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang, Korea. bonamd@paran.com.
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
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
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