title: Clomiphene citrate-induced visual hallucinations: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common cause of chronic anovulation and infertility in otherwise healthy fertile couples. Clomiphene citrate is used as a first-line ovulation induction therapy in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Clomiphene citrate can cause both systemic and ocular side effects. We report a rare side effect of illusory palinopsias in a patient with polycystic ovary syndrome treated with ovulation induction therapy with clomiphene citrate, and emphasize the need for gynecologists and their patients to be aware of this rare ocular side effect.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 30-year-old Asian woman complained of persistent visual afterimages following treatment with 100 mg clomiphene citrate for anovulation. Her symptoms started on the fourth day after commencing the treatment and would last for 5 to 10 minutes. Similar visual symptoms were noted during her second cycle of treatment with clomiphene citrate. The severity of her symptoms reduced following the stoppage of the medication; however, the symptoms have persisted for more than 1 year since she stopped taking the drug.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clomiphene citrate can cause disturbing illusory palinopsias. These afterimages persist even after stopping the infertility medication. It is a side effect not frequently seen by gynecologists or ophthalmologists. Gynecologists should make their patients aware of this rare ocular side effect when their patients start treatment with clomiphene citrate for infertility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Retina and Vitreous, Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital, 5027, Kedarnath Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi, 110002, India. vramesh80@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Ramesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Venkatesh
authors.affiliation: Department of Retina and Vitreous, Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital, 5027, Kedarnath Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi, 110002, India.
authors.forename: Gaganjeet Singh
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Gujral
authors.affiliation: Department of Retina and Vitreous, Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital, 5027, Kedarnath Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi, 110002, India.
authors.forename: Prachi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gurav
authors.affiliation: Department of Retina and Vitreous, Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital, 5027, Kedarnath Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi, 110002, India.
authors.forename: Shailja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tibrewal
authors.affiliation: Department of Retina and Vitreous, Shroff's Charity Eye Hospital, 5027, Kedarnath Road, Daryaganj, New Delhi, 110002, India.
authors.forename: Umang
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Mathur
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000858:Anovulation; D002996:Clomiphene / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D002996:Clomiphene
keywords: Clomiphene citrate; Palinopsia; Polycystic ovarian syndrome; Side effects