Deferoxamine-related bilateral maculopathy with optical coherence tomography findings

Abstract

Background: We present a case of bilateral maculopathy associated with deferoxamine mesylate (DFO) treatment. Methods: A 53-year-old man with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) received DFO therapy due to elevated ferritin levels. He was then referred to ophthalmology clinic due to blurred vision. He was diagnosed as bilateral neurosensory retinal detachment of the macula. During follow up, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), and fundus autofluorescence (FAF) were evaluated. Results: At first visit, OCT showed bilateral foveal neurosensory detachment. Hyperfluorescence of the macula and the peripapillary region were found on FFA. After discontinuation of DFO, BCVA improved from 20/120 to 20/60 with resolution of the foveal detachments on OCT scan. Four weeks later, FAF showed bilateral mottled hyperautofluorescence and hypoautofluorescence at the macula and the peripapillary region. Conclusion: Deferoxamine can cause acute retinal toxicity. Haematologists should be alert to visual complaints associated with DFO therapy, as early diagnosis and discontinuation of the medication allows recovery of visual function with residual fundus findings.

Keywords

• Deferoxamine toxicity
• Maculopathy
• Optical coherence tomography
• Retina