Indian Journal of Ophthalmology (Jan 2012)

Desferrioxamine-related ocular toxicity: A case report

  • Sumu Simon,
  • Paul A Athanasiov,
  • Rajeev Jain,
  • Grant Raymond,
  • Jagjit S Gilhotra

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/0301-4738.98714
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 60, no. 4
pp. 315 – 317

Abstract

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A 29-year-old lady receiving repeated blood transfusions for β thalassemia since childhood, presented with rapidly deteriorating symptoms of night blindness and peripheral visual field loss. She was recently commenced on high-dose intravenous desferrioxamine for reducing the systemic iron overload. Clinical and investigative findings were consistent with desferrioxamine-related pigmentary retinopathy and optic neuropathy. Recovery was partial following cessation of desferrioxamine. This report highlights the ocular side-effects of desferrioxamine mesylate and the need to be vigilant in patients on high doses of desferrioxamine.

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