ReVersible Change of Vision in Patients Receiving Deferoxamine

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report 2 cases of acute visual neurotoxicity in patients with paraquat poisoning receiving deferoxamine. METHODS: A 48-year-old woman and a 37-year-old man received intravenous infusion of deferoxamine at 3g/day for 7 days for treatment of paraquat poisoning. They presented with severely impaired visual acuity, generalized constriction of visual field, and decreased amplitude of visual evoked potential. They improved clinically upon drug-withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: Deferoxamine is an effective agent for treatment of paraquat poisoning, but can cause visual neurotoxicity. We recommend careful regulation of the deferoxamine dosage and serial visual monitoring in patients receiving the drug.