Progressive chorioretinopathy after receiving thioridazine
T. A. Meredith, T. M. Aaberg and W. D. Willerson
A distinctive appearance of the ocular fundus as a late complication of
high doses of orally administered thioridazine hydrochloride (Mellaril) is
described. Discrete nummular areas of loss of retinal pigment epithelium
(RPE) extended from the posterior pole to the midperiphery. Fluorescein
angiography demonstrated loss of choriocapillaris in these zones. Atrophy
of the remaining RPE was progressive, with advancement of the edges of the
atrophic zones and breakdown of bridges of RPE separating them. Atrophy
occurred after discontinuation of the drug and advanced without further
exposure to it. Dark adaptation, the electroretinogram, and the
electro-oculogram were abnormal in the late stages. Central visual acuity
remained relatively good.
