Optic Neuropathy from Vitamin B12 Deficiency Associated With Alcoholism and Malnutrition
Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
; : 963-967, 2009.
Article
in Korean
| WPRIM (Western Pacific)
| ID: wpr-10531
Responsible library:
WPRO
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
To report a case of optic neuropathy from vitamin B12 deficiency associated with chronic alcoholism and malnutrition. CASESUMMARY:
A 51-year-old man with a complaint of declining visual acuity in both eyes without pain was found to have a temporal optic disc pallor in the left eye. The patient had a history of chronic alcoholism and malnutrition for the previous 7 months. Visual field examination showed central scotoma in both eyes. The vitamin B12 level was undetectable by a blood biochemistry test. Blood dyscrasia such as anemia or thrombocytopenia was not found. The vitamin B12 level became normal after intramuscular cobalamin injections, and visual acuity and visual field tests recovered after 3 months.CONCLUSIONS:
Optic neuropathy from vitamin B12 deficiency can be solely present without other systemic manifestations in a patient with chronic alcoholism and malnutrition. Prompt diagnosis by thorough history taking and vitamin B12 supplementation can reverse the disease.
Full text:
Available
Health context:
SDG3 - Health and Well-Being
/
SDG3 -Target 3.5 Prevention and treatment of consumption of psychoactive substances
Health problem:
Target 3.5: Prevention and treatment of consumption of psychoactive substances
/
Alcohol
Database:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Pallor
/
Scotoma
/
Thrombocytopenia
/
Vitamin B 12
/
Vitamins
/
Vitamin B 12 Deficiency
/
Biochemistry
/
Visual Acuity
/
Visual Fields
/
Optic Nerve Diseases
Aspects:
Social determinants of health
Limits:
Humans
Language:
Korean
Journal:
Journal of the Korean Ophthalmological Society
Year:
2009
Document type:
Article