Newer and some longer-term use medications linked to acute retinal toxicity
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Some newly approved as well as several long-term use medications have been recently associated with acute retinal toxicity, according to a poster presentation at the Women in Ophthalmology Summer Symposium.
"This review highlights the most recent updates over the past year on retinal drug toxicities,” S. Tammy Hsu, MD, study co-author told Healio/OSN. “These toxicities are discovered in both new medications and medications that have been around for a while but are now becoming more noticeable due to increased frequency and length of use.”
Hsu and colleagues conducted a literature review examining PubMed, ClinicalTrials.gov and Google Scholar to seek out peer-reviewed publications from January 2020, through April 30, 2021.
The result of the literature review shows several newly approved drugs such as brolucizumab, MEK-inhibitors, ulixertinib and GFFR-inhibitors have been associated with acute retinal toxicity, the authors wrote. Medications thought to be well-tolerated, including pentosan sulfate sodium, HIV anti-retroviral therapies and other intraocular medications are used for longer periods, resulting in new associations with retinal toxicity. Additionally, advances in retinal imaging technology have made preclinical detection possible, the authors wrote.
“Ultimately, a conversation is needed between the patient, prescribing doctor, and ophthalmologist regarding the risks and benefits of continuing the offending medication,” Hsu said.
The authors note that more research is necessary to determine the point at which vision loss becomes irreversible.
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Hsu ST, et al. Retinal drug toxicities: An update. Presented at: Women in Ophthalmology Summer Symposium; Aug. 26-29, 2021; Amelia Island, Florida.
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