title: The prevalence of optic neuropathy in alcoholic patients--a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alcohol has particularly toxic effects on the central and peripheral nervous systems. Optic neuropathy (ON) is one of these neurological complications. Its diagnosis has not been codified, and its prevalence is poorly known. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the prevalence of ON and identify risk factors in a cohort of patients hospitalized for alcohol withdrawal.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a single-center prospective study. A complete standardized eye examination was performed during the patient's alcohol withdrawal; The data collected included: sociodemographic status; the number of withdrawals; the type and amount of alcohol drunk, tobacco, and illicit drug consumption; and ophthalmological results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred patients were included prospectively from January 2010 to June 2011 (67 men and 33 women) with a mean age of 47 ± 12 and 46 ± 10 years, respectively. The average alcohol consumption was higher for men than women: 207 ± 122 vs. 146 ± 92 g/d, p = 0.013. The most frequent definition of ON in the literature is a decrease in visual acuity associated with impaired color vision. Thirteen percent of men and 3% of women met these criteria. But monocular ON was observed in 22% of men and 18% women, and partial damage was demonstrated in 27% of men and 7% of women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ON is a relatively rare complication of chronic alcohol consumption, but the high prevalence of incomplete forms should prompt screening and early treatment.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine and Addiction, Hôpital Saint-Eloi, University Hospital of Montpellier, Montpellier Cedex 5, France; INSERM U844, Montpellier, France; Montpellier University of Medicine (UM1), Rue de l'école de médecine, Montpellier, France.
authors: Hélène
authors: H
authors: Donnadieu-Rigole
authors: Vincent
authors: V
authors: Daien
authors: Dominique
authors: D
authors: Blanc
authors: Stéphanie
authors: S
authors: Michau
authors: Max
authors: M
authors: Villain
authors: Bertrand
authors: B
authors: Nalpas
authors: Pascal
authors: P
authors: Perney
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009901:Optic Nerve Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol
keywords: Alcohol; Prevalence; Toxic Optic Neuropathy