Ethambutol neuroretinopathy.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the clinical features of ethambutol neuroretinopathy.

DESIGN

Case report and meta-analysis of the literature.

PARTICIPANTS

A patient with clinical and electrophysiological findings suggestive of ethambutol neuroretinopathy.

TESTING: Electroretinogram, electro-oculogram and visual fields.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Clinical and electrophysiological findings.

RESULTS

101 cases were reviewed, retinal findings include retinal pigment epithelial changes, macular edema, flame-shaped hemorrhages. Electroretinogram findings include decreased amplitude and abnormal wave pattern in full field ERG, multifocal or pattern ERG and electro-oculogram findings include abnormal Arden ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical, electrophysiological and in vitro studies support the toxic effect of ethambutol on the retina. Therefore ethambutol ocular toxicity may be a neuroretinopathy.