Erythropoietin treatment for methanol optic neuropathy.
BACKGROUND
To present the effect of erythropoietin for the treatment of methanol optic neuropathy.


METHODS
Two patients with methanol optic neuropathy were treated with 10,000 IU of intravenous erythropoietin twice a day for 3 days, 500 mg of methylprednisolone twice a day for 5 days (followed by 2 weeks of oral prednisolone [1 mg/kg per day]), and daily doses of vitamin B12, vitamin B6, and folic acid for 1 month.


RESULTS
At presentation, the patients had no perception of light in both eyes, associated with mildly swollen optic discs. Both responded dramatically to the treatment regimen. In the first patient, visual acuity improved to 20/20 in both eyes within 3 days, whereas in the second patient, visual acuity returned to counting fingers at 6 feet, right eye, and 20/30, left eye, within 3 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Intravenous erythropoietin may be an effective adjuvant when combined with current treatment for patients with methanol optic neuropathy.
Ophthalmic Research Center and Department of Ophthalmology, Labbafinejad Medical Center, Shaheed Beheshti Medical University, Tehran, Iran. mohpakravan@gmail.com
Mohammad
M
Pakravan
Nasrin
N
Sanjari
D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000432:Methanol / Q000633:toxicity*; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009898:Optic Disk / Q000473:pathology; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012997:Solvents / Q000633:toxicity*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D058609:Visual Field Tests
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D012997:Solvents; D004921:Erythropoietin; D011239:Prednisolone; D008775:Methylprednisolone; D000432:Methanol