Spectrum and Clinical Course of Visual Field Abnormalities in Ethambutol Toxicity

ABSTRACT

Visual toxicities from ethambutol are rare but represent one of the few causes of non-glaucomatous and non-compressive bitemporal hemianopsia. The authors present a six-patient case series illustrating variable clinical presentation and reversibility of visual loss in patients treated with ethambutol for Mycobacterium avium complex, including four patients who presented with visual field defects suggestive of bitemporal hemianopsia. Two additional patients were being followed for glaucoma, developed visual field defects with ethambutol treatment, and subsequently recovered with cessation of drug. In patients being treated with ethambutol, reversible bitemporal hemianopsia was the most commonly noted presentation of ethambutol toxicity.

KEYWORDS:

• Bitemporal
• ethambutol
• hemianopsia
• Mycobacterium
• toxicity

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Funding

The Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, and Duke University Eye Center are recipients of unrestricted grants from Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc. (New York, New York, USA).

Additional information

Funding

The Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina, and Duke University Eye Center are recipients of unrestricted grants from Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc. (New York, New York, USA).