ETHAMBUTOL OCULAR TOXICITY IN A PATIENT WITH PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS

• Main Authors: INTAN G, ASOKUMARAN T, AZIZ S, MALLIKA PS, TAN AK
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Academy of Family Physicians of Malaysia 2008-01-01
• Series: Malaysian Family Physician
• Subjects: Ethambutol; Farnsworth Panel D-15 Hue test; Isihara Pseudoisochromatic Plates; Blue-yellow colour defect; Pulmonary tuberculosis.
• Online Access: http://www.e-mfp.org/2008v3n2/pdf/Ethambutol_ocular_toxicity.pdf

Purpose: To highlight the importance of using the Farnsworth Panel D-15 Hue test in colour vision testing in patients on ethambutol treatment. Case Report: A 70 year-old lady received ethambutol as part of her anti-tuberculous regime. She developed blue-yellow colour defect detectable with the Farnsworth Panel D-15 Hue test, but not with the Isihara Pseudoisochromatic Plates. Ethambutol was immediately discontinued from her anti-tuberculous regime. Two months later, her colour vision returned to normal. Conclusion: This case report illustrates the importance of regular monitoring of patients receiving ethambutol for blue-yellow colour defect using the Farnsworth Panel D-15 Hue Test.