Macular fibrosis associated with talc retinopathy.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To investigate a patient with talc retinopathy who developed macular fibrosis with resultant visual loss.

METHODS:

A 64-year-old intravenous drug abuser was evaluated for bilateral peripheral retinal neovascularization. He admitted to abusing oral methylphenidate intravenously. Funduscopy showed numerous intravascular talc particles in the macular area of both eyes. Over a period of next 4 years, visually significant macular fibrosis gradually developed in both eyes, the left eye more than the right eye.

RESULTS:

Fluorescein angiography confirmed the presence of bilateral peripheral retinal neovascularization with adjacent areas of ischemic retina. The patient was treated with peripheral laser treatment to the ischemic retina with resultant regression of peripheral retinal neovascularization. Bilateral macular fibrosis accounted for the reduced vision in our patient.

CONCLUSION:

Talc retinopathy can be associated with macular fibrosis with resultant visual loss.

• Authors: M C Sharma, A C Ho
• Journal: American journal of ophthalmology (Am J Ophthalmol) Vol. 128 Issue 4 Pg. 517-9 (Oct 1999) ISSN: 0002-9394 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10577601 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Talc

Topics

• Fibrosis
• Fluorescein Angiography
• Humans
• Ischemia (pathology, surgery)
• Laser Therapy
• Macula Lutea (pathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neovascularization, Pathologic (pathology, surgery)
• Retinal Diseases (chemically induced, pathology, surgery)
• Retinal Vessels (pathology, surgery)
• Talc (adverse effects)
• Vision Disorders (etiology)