title: Hooch blindness: a community study report on a few indoor patients of toxic optic neuropathy following consumption of adulterated alcohol in West Bengal.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hooch blindness following consumption of adulterated alcohol has been known for centuries.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study cases of mass alcohol intoxication followed by Hooch blindness in eastern India.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten patients of toxic amblyopia collected from a community mass intoxication following consumption of adulterated alcohol were studied. The parameters studied were the findings of ocular examination, applanation tonometry, automated perimetry and visual-evoked potential (VEP). As a part of the special investigations fundus photography and OCT were done. Routine blood examination, fasting lipid profile, postprandial blood sugar estimation were done . All patients were treated with injections of methyl prednisolone and Hydroxy cobalamine, antioxidants and local neuro-protective agents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Along with diminished vision (from NPL to 3/60), marked pallor of the disc without any other retinal change were noted. The amplitude on VEP was significantly reduced. However, visual improvement (up to 6/18) in 7 patients was observed within 6 weeks of treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hooch blindness in India can be prevented by creating awareness among the target population and reducing the cost of country liquor.
authors.affiliation: Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, West Bengal, India. swapansamanta53@gmail.com
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Samanta
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fariduddin
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mahapatra
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bhunia
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mondal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001766:Blindness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D000431:Ethanol / Q000506:poisoning*; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011379:Prognosis; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol