Because the symptoms of toxic amblyopia can differ from the amblyopia that occurs most often in young children, it is sometimes called an optic neuropathy (toxic optic neuropathy or nutritional optic neuropathy) instead of amblyopia.
(See also Overview of Optic Nerve Disorders.)
Causes
Toxic amblyopia may be caused by a nutritional deficiency (sometimes called nutritional amblyopia), especially of vitamins B1 and B12 or folate (folic acid; see also Overview of Vitamins). Alcoholics and people who have had bariatric (weight-loss) surgery are particularly susceptible to nutritional amblyopia. The actual cause is probably undernutrition rather than a toxic effect of alcohol.
Rarely, toxic amblyopia is caused by drugs (such as chloramphenicol, isoniazid, ethambutol, and digoxin) or toxins such as lead, ethylene glycol (antifreeze), or methanol (wood alcohol or methyl alcohol).
Symptoms
In people with toxic amblyopia, vision deteriorates gradually over days to weeks. A blind spot may develop and gradually enlarge. It may not be noticed at first. If the disorder is caused by exposure to a toxin or to a nutritional deficiency, both eyes are usually affected.
Ethylene glycol and particularly methanol poisoning can cause sudden, complete loss of vision. Both substances can cause other serious symptoms such as coma, difficulty breathing, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Diagnosis
Prognosis
Treatment
People with toxic amblyopia should avoid alcohol and other chemicals or drugs that may be toxic. If alcohol use or undernutrition is a cause, the person should stop drinking alcohol, eat a well-balanced diet, and take vitamin supplements that include folate and B vitamins. However, if the cause is mainly vitamin B12 deficiency, treatment with dietary supplements alone is not enough. Vitamin B12 deficiency is typically treated with injections of vitamin B12.
If lead is the cause, chelating drugs (such as succimer or dimercaprol) help remove it from the body.
If ethylene glycol or methanol poisoning is the cause, rapid treatment with hemodialysis and the drug fomepizole or, as an alternative, alcohol may help.
Magnifiers, large-print devices, and talking watches (low-vision aids) may help people with loss of vision.
