Citation

Simmons IG, Good PA. Eye 1998; 12(5): 809-814.

Affiliation

Ophthalmology Department, St James' University Hospital, Leeds, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10070515

Abstract

PURPOSE: To describe the electrophysiological and psychophysical effects of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning on visual function. METHODS: Three patients are presented who suffered CO poisoning, two due to suicide attempts and one in the course of a road traffic accident. After a full ocular examination, Goldmann visual fields, flash and pattern visual evoked potentials (VEPs) and flash and pattern electroretinograms (ERGs) were tested. RESULTS: Electrophysiology showed reduced or absent N95 components of the pattern ERG and delayed, reduced VEPs. A positive-negative-positive (PNP) VEP waveform was seen in two cases. In one case, where presentation occurred at an early stage, visual and electrophysiological function was improved with hydroxycobalamine. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of ERG and VEP findings suggest that CO poisoning can cause a toxic optic neuropathy that may have a similar aetiological mechanism to that in tobacco amblyopia. Early treatment with hydroxycobalamine may be of some benefit.

Language: en