Visual dysfunction in patients receiving vigabatrin: clinical and electrophysiologic findings.

BACKGROUND

Vigabatrin is an antiepileptic drug that, although relatively well tolerated, is associated with visual field constriction and other visual disturbances of unclear origin.

METHODS

We performed a complete neuroophthalmologic examination and electrophysiologic studies on 39 patients receiving vigabatrin and on 11 control patients.

RESULTS

Nearly 50% of patients receiving vigabatrin had constricted visual fields compared with control patients. Some of the vigabatrin patients also had reduced visual acuity and abnormal color vision. In addition, most vigabatrin patients had abnormal electroretinographic results, the severity of which correlated strongly with the degree of visual field constriction.

CONCLUSIONS

Vigabatrin can cause electrophysiologic evidence of retinal dysfunction and clinically detectable disturbances of visual sensory function.