Key result
Amiodarone is linked to a ~2-fold increased risk of optic neuropathy.
Why the study?
Amiodarone use is associated with visual loss due to optic neuropathy, but clinical characteristics and outcomes require review.
Does amiodarone use increase the risk of optic neuropathy?
Does amiodarone use increase the risk of optic neuropathy?
Relative Risk: 2
Amiodarone use is associated with a 2-fold increased risk of optic neuropathy, which typically presents with insidious onset and bilateral visual loss that often stabilizes upon drug discontinuation.
Amiodarone optic neuropathy risk warrants vigilance in long-term users; Level 5 data leaves open causality and incidence.
Amiodarone, an antiarrhythmic agent, has been associated with visual loss secondary to optic neuropathy. The reported mean duration of amiodarone use before visual loss is about 9 months. Patients receiving amiodarone have a 2-fold increased risk of developing optic neuropathy, especially in males and possibly in patients with longer duration of treatment. Amiodarone-associated optic neuropathy is characterised by an insidious onset, slow progression, bilateral simultaneous visual loss, and protracted disc swelling. After discontinuing amiodarone use, visual acuity and visual field deficits tend to improve or stabilise in most patients, with about 20% of the patients getting worse.
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Wang et al. (2016) conducted a review in Amiodarone-associated optic neuropathy. Amiodarone was evaluated on Optic neuropathy (2-fold increased risk). Amiodarone use is associated with a 2-fold increased risk of developing optic neuropathy, typically presenting after about 9 months of treatment.
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