Abstract

P 189

Long-term observation of canthaxanthin retinopathy over 16 years

Arno Hueber, Sigrid Roters, Gerhard Welsandt
Klinikum der Universität Köln, Zentrum für Augenheilkunde, Köln

Objective
From the year 1982, the retinopathy caused by the oral intake of canthaxanthin was frequently observed. After 16 years, one patient was re-examined to determine whether long-term functional damage occured and if the fundus changes were reversible.
Methods
In the year 1985 a canthaxanthin retinopathy after 3 years of interrupted oral therapy with canthaxanthin was noticed. After 16 years a follow up examination of fundus photography, EOG, multifocal ERG, fluorescence angiography, Amsler, visual acuity, slit lamp and visual field 10-2 was done.
Results
In 1985, at the time of diagnosis, on both eyes, the visual acuity was 100%, the Amsler test was without wavy lines, the anterior segment was normal, the posterior segment showed golden yellow crystalline deposits around the macula and the 30-2 visual field was normal. In 2001, examination of visual acuity for distant vision with a refraction of -3.00 on the right eye and -5.50 on the left eye was on the right eye 70% and on the left eye 90%. The near vision was 100% on both eyes and the Amsler test was without wavy lines. The anterior segment showed a finding, that was normal for age with an incipient cataract. The posterior segment was normal for age and without deposits. The fluorescence angiography was normal, the 10-2 threshold visual field analysis was normal, the EOG was normal and the multifocal ERG showed an inhomogeneous potential distribution.
Conclusions
The funduscopic disorders have completely disappeared in the period of 16 years. Whether the slightly reduced visual acuity and the inhomogeneous potential distribution in the multifocal ERG is caused by the cataract and myopia or by the canthaxanthin retinopathy, can not be finally clarified. This case report suggests that the canthaxanthin retinopathy was without consequences after discontinuing of oral canthaxanthin therapy.

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