Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Toxic optic neuropathy

Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports volume 3, pages 410–414 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

Toxic optic neuropathy is a complex, multifactorial disease potentially affecting individuals of all ages, races, places, and economic strata. Etiology includes nutritional, environmental, toxicologic, and genetic factors. Most cases of nutritional amblyopia are encountered in disadvantaged countries. However, toxic amblyopia related to drug treatment or alcohol abuse is also encountered in the Western world. Typically, toxic and nutritional optic neuropathy is progressive, with bilateral symmetrical painless visual loss causing central or cecocentral scotoma. There is no specific treatment for this disorder. Nevertheless, early detection and prompt management may ameliorate and even prevent severe visual deficit.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References and Recommended Reading

  1. Lessell S: Toxic and deficiency optic neuropathies. In Walsh & Hoyt’s Clinical Neuro Ophthalmology. Edited by Miller RM, Newman NJ. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins; 1998:663–679.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Lessell S: Nutritional amblyopia. J Neuro-Ophthalmol 1998, 18:106–111.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Sadun AA: Acquired mitochondrial impairment as a cause of optic nerve disease. Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc 1998, 46:881–923.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Knox DL, Chen MF, Guilarte TR, et al.: Nutritional amblyopia. Retina 1982, 2:288–293.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Biousse V, Newman NJ: Neuro-ophthalmology of mitochondrial diseases. Curr Opin Neurol 2003, 16:35–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Eells JT, Henry MM, Lewandowski MF, et al.: Development and characterization of a rodent model of methanol-induced retinal and optic nerve toxicity. Neurotoxicology 2000, 21:321–330.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Hsu HH, Chen CY, Chen FH, et al.: Optic atrophy and cerebral infarcts caused by methanol intoxication: MRI. Neuroradiology 1997, 39:192–194.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Rotestreich Y, Assia E, Kesler A: Late treatment of methanol blindness. Br J Ophthalmol 1997, 81:416–417.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Sharpe JA, Hostovsky M, Bilbao JM, Rewcastle NB: Methanol optic neuropathy: a histological study. Neurology 1982, 32:1093–1100.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Jacobson D, McMartin KE: Methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning. Mechanism of toxicity, clinical course, diagnosis and treatment. Med Toxicol 1986, 1:309–334.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Hwang JM, Kim J, Park SS: Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy mutations in ethambutol-induced optic neuropathy. J Neurol 2003, 250:87–89.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Heng JE, Vorwerk CK, Lessel E, et al.: Ethambutol is toxic to retinal ganglion cells via an excitotoxic pathway. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1999, 40:190–196.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Verslegers W, De Deyn PP: Visual impairment due to optic neuropathy in 2 patients on amiodarone, and ethambutol and isoniazide therapy, respectively. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2001, 145:1872.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Feiner LA, Young BR, Kazmier JF, et al.: Optic neuropathy and Amiodarone therapy. Mayo Clin Proc 1987, 62:702–717.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Castells DD, Teitelbaum BA, Tresley DJ: Visual changes secondary to initiation of amiodarone: a case report and review involving ocular management in cardiac polypharmacy. Optometry 2002, 73:113–121.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Baron S, Tyring SK, Fleischmann WR Jr, et al.: The interferon: mechanism of action and clinical application. JAMA 1991, 266:1375–1383.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Purvin VA: Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy secondary to interferon alfa. Arch Ophthalmol 1995, 113:1041–1044.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Noureddin BN, Seoud M, Bashshur Z, et al.: Ocular toxicity in low-dose tamoxifen: a prospective study. Eye 1999, 13:729–733.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Krumesiek J, Kruger C, Patzold U: Tobacco-alcohol amblyopia, neuro-ophthalmological findings and clinical course. Acta Neurol Scand 1985, 72:180–187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Potts AM: Tobacco amblyopia. Surv Ophthalmol 1973, 17:313–339.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Wilson J: Cyanide in human disease: a review of clinical and laboratory evidence. Fund Appl Toxicol 1983, 3:397–399.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Costagliola C, Rinaldi M, Giacoia A, et al.: Red cell glutathione as a marker of tobacco smoke-induced optic neuropathy. Exp Eye Res 1989, 48:583–586.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Hsu C, Miller T, Wray NR, Misty L: Optic neuropathy from folic acid deficiency without alcohol abuse. Ophthalmologica 2002, 216:65–67.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Sadun A: Acquired mitochondrial impairment as a cause of optic nerve disease. Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc 1998, 96:881–923.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Perez-Stable E: Epidemic neuropathy in Cuba. Ann Intern Med 1995, 123:734.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Caceres TM: Epidemic optic neuropathy in Cuba. Clinical and neurophysiological study. Arch Soc Exp Ophthalmol 2001, 76:493–498.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Gilbert MR: The neurotoxicity of cancer chemotherapy. Neurologist 1998, 4:43–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Filley CM, Kleinschmidt-DeMasters BK: Toxic leukoencephalopathy. N Engl J Med 2001, 345:425–432. Important study.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Truwit CL, Denaro CP, Lake JR, DeMarco T: MR imaging of reversible cyclosporin A-induced neurotoxicity. Am J Neuroradiol 1991, 12:651–659.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Harley RD, Huang NN, Macri CH, Green WR: Optic neuritis and optic atrophy following chloramphenicol in cystic fibrosis patients. Trans Am Acad Ophthalmol Otolaryngol 1970, 74:1011–1031.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Shiraki H: Neuropathy due to intoxication with anti-tuberculous drugs from neuropathological view-point. Adv Neuro Sci 1973, 17:120.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Hormes JT, Filley CM, Rosenberg NL, et al.: Neurologic sequelae of chronic solvent vapor abuse. Neurology 1986, 36:698–702.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Gonzalez-Quevedo A, Obregon F, Urbina M, et al.: Effect of chronic methanol administration on amino acids and monoamines in retina, optic nerve, and brain of the rat. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2002, 185:77–84.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Carlen PL, Wortzman G, Holgate RC, et al.: Reversible cerebral atrophy in recently abstinent chronic alcoholics measured by computed tomography scans. Science 1978, 200:1076–1078.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Shear PK, Jernigan TL, Butters N: Volumetric magnetic resonance imaging quantification of longitudinal brain changes in abstinent alcoholics. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 1994, 18:172–176.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Pfefferbaum A, Sullivan EV, Hedehus M, et al.: In vivo detection and functional correlates of white matter microstructural disruption in chronic alcoholism. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2000, 24:1214–1221.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Lancaster FE: Alcohol and white matter development-a review. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 1994, 18:644–647.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Filley CM: Toxic leukoencephalopathy. Clin Neuropharmacol 1999, 22:249–320.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Goebels N, Soyka M: Dementia associated with vitamin B12 deficiency: presentation of two cases and review of the literature. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 2000, 12:389–394.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Lindenbaum J, Healton EB, Savage DG, et al.: Neuropsychiatric disorders caused by cobalamin deficiency in the absence of anemia or macrocytosis. N Engl J Med 1988, 318:1720–1728.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Guettat L, Gille M, Delbecq J, Depre A: Folic acid deficiency with leukoencephalopathy and chronic axonal neuropathy of sensory predominance [French]. Rev Neurol (Paris) 1997, 153:351–353.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Adams JW, Bofenkamp TM, Kobrin J, et al.: Recurrent acute toxic optic neuropathy secondary to 5-FU. Cancer Treat Rep 1984, 68:565–566.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Venegas-Francke P, Fruns-Quintana M, Oporto-Caroca M:Bilateral optic neuritis caused by chloramphenicol [Spanish]. Rev Neurol 2000, 15:699–700.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Norton SW, Stockman JA 3rd: Unilateral optic neuropathy following vincristine chemotherapy. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus 1979, 16:190–193.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Baghadasserian SA: Optic neuropathy due to lead poisoning. Arch Ophthalmol 1968, 80:721–723.

    Google Scholar 

  46. de Letona JM: Optic neuropathy in vitamin B12 deficiency. Lancet 1998, 352:147.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Theodoropoulos DS: Optic neuropathy in vitamin B12 deficiency. Lancet 1998, 352:146–147.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Golnik KC, Schaible ER: Folate-responsive optic neuropathy. J Neuro-Ophthalmol 1994, 14:163–169.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Suzuki S, Kumanomido T, Nagata E, et al.: Optic neuropathy from thiamine deficiency. Intern Med 1997, 36:532.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuro-Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, Tel Aviv Medical Center, 6 Weizmann Street, 64239, Tel Aviv, Israel

    Anat Kesler MD & Pazit Pianka MD

Authors
  1. Anat Kesler MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Pazit Pianka MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kesler, A., Pianka, P. Toxic optic neuropathy. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 3, 410–414 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-003-0024-y

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-003-0024-y

Keywords

search

Navigation