Features of amiodarone-induced optic neuropathy

PURPOSE: To report clinical features of amiodarone-induced optic neuropathy and outline the differentiation of amiodarone optic neuropathy from nonart eritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. METHOD: We reviewed data from 73 patients reported to have developed an opt ic neuropathy while taking amiodarone RESULTS: Amiodarone optic neuropathy is characterized by an insidious onset , slow progression, bilateral visual loss, and protracted disk swelling tha t tends to stabilize within several months of discontinuing the medication. Nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy is characterized by acute, unilater al visual loss that is usually complete at onset, with resolution of disk e dema over several weeks. CONCLUSION: Unique clinical features of amiodarone-induced optic neuropathy may help clinicians diagnose and distinguish between amiodarone induced op tic neuropathy and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. (C) 199 9 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.