Publication: Ocular side effects of antitubercular drugs- A focus on prevention, early detection and management
Date
2005
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
Given the increasing prevalence of tuberculosis, antitubercular drugs frequently used are also associated with ocular
toxicity. Ethambutol is the most commonly implicated drug. It is generally well tolerated, but known to cause optic
neuritis, more specifically retro bulbar neuritis causing blurred vision, decreased visual acuity, central scotomas, and
loss of red-green color vision. The exact mechanism of toxicity is not understood. Though optic neuritis due to
ethmabutol is generally considered to be reversible upon prompt discontinuation of the drug, there are reports of
reversible toxicity, particularly in the elderly population. Isoniazid can rarely cause retro bulbar neuritis. Dose
relationship is usually not seen. Streptomycin is known to cause pseudo tumorcerebri. Thiacetazone can produce
severe cutaneous reactions including Steven Johnson Syndrome affecting the skin and mucosa including
conjunctiva. Educating the patients for early detection of the ocular manifestations and regular follow-ups are very
essential.
Keywords: Anti- tubercular drugs, Ethambutol, Ocular side effects