Vigabatrin-associated retinal cone system dysfunction

Abstract

To the Editor: I read with interest the article Vigabatrin-associated retinal cone system dysfunction by Krauss et al.1 I am a neuro-ophthalmologist and epidemiologist who has served as a paid consultant for Hoechst-Marion-Roussel, the manufacturer of vigabatrin. In this capacity I have reviewed ocular and vision data and adverse event reports on more than 2500 patients treated with vigabatrin in clinical trials, as well as adverse event reports on about 125,000 patients exposed to the drug outside of formal trials. Significant visual deficits have been reported in only a small number of cases. However, over time I have become convinced that severe visual field constriction is a real, although rare, adverse effect of the drug. Having reviewed the visual fields on Dr. Krauss' patients, I believe that the field constriction in Patient 1 is similar to that of the previously reported patients …