Chloramphenicol optic neuropathy
V. Godel, P. Nemet and M. Lazar
Three patients with cystic fibrosis of the pancreas initially were seen
because of optic neuropathy caused by a toxic reaction to chloramphenicol.
The ocular symptoms were characterized by loss of visual acuity, central
scotomas, red-green dyschromatopsia, and fundus changes. An increase in the
latency of the occipital evoked potentials paralleled the visual
impairment. A transient photopic decline in the red-light-elicited
electroretinogram and the occurrence of Uhthoff's sign in the acute stage
of the disease were observed. All visual impairment recovered partially or
totally after the withdrawal of therapy with the drug.
