Optic atrophy due to sequelae of thallotoxicosis: Report of a case.

ABSTRACT

The authors report a case of optic atrophy due to sequelae of thallotoxicosis in a patient who ingested a rat-poison for suicidal purpose at an estimated dose of 50 mg/kg body weight. The patient’s main symptoms in acute crisis included abdorminal pain and alopecia 14 days after the ingestion. Two months later she developed visual loss. On eye examination, visual acuity finger count was ฝ feet for eyes, optic atrophy and tubular visual field defects was found both eyes. An amount of thallium was found in urine (0.16 microgram/ml), but was negative in serum and pubic hair (21.4 mcg./gm). After prednisolone taken orally 30 mg/day for about 2 months visual acuity improved to 1/60. Both eyes but visual field defect and topic atrophy remain unchanged.