학술논문
Night blindness precipitated by isotretinoin in the setting of hypovitaminosis A.
Document Type
Article
Source
Subject
*BLINDNESS
*VITAMIN A deficiency
*ISOTRETINOIN
*
*
Language
ISSN
0004-8380
Abstract
SUMMARYA 16-year-old male developed night blindness 2 weeks after starting isotretinoin at a dose of 20 mg per day for cystic acne. He also had cystic fibrosis, complicated by hepatic cirrhosis. Despite long-term oral vitamin A supplementation, serum vitamin A levels were found to be 0.3 μmol/L (normal range 0.9–2.5 μmol/L). Oral vitamin A replacement was instituted with resolution of his visual symptoms in 6 months. Isotretinoin therapy was successfully continued with no deterioration in liver function. Isotretinoin has been reported to cause deterioration in night vision. In vitro evidence suggests isotretinoin may interfere with the processing of endogenous vitamin A in the retina. This case highlights the need for careful monitoring of serum vitamin A status in patients with malabsorptive states on isotretinoin therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]