GALLIUM NITRATE OPTIC NEUROPATHY

PURPOSE: To report a patient with visual loss after systemic administr ation of gallium nitrate. METHOD: Case report, RESULTS: After receivin g intravenous gallium nitrate, a 77-year-old man developed bilateral v isual loss and optic neuropathy with central scotomas on visual field testing and diminished P-2-wave amplitude on visual evoked potential e xamination. The condition worsened after oral corticosteroid therapy. Partial recovery of optic nerve function in both eyes was present afte r 12 months of oral ferrous sulfate administration. CONCLUSIONS: Parti ally reversible bilateral optic neuropathy may occur after administrat ion of gallium nitrate in the absence of other chemotherapeutic agents , Ophthalmic examinations are indicated in patients who receive galliu m nitrate.