Prado-Serrano A, García-Carmona KP

Language: Spanish
References: 10
Page: 279-281
PDF size: 422.21 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Canthaxanthin is one of more than 400 naturally occurring carotenoids. It was used to red colored fruits and was marketed as a drug to treat photosensitivity disorders and, since 1979, as an oral tanning agent. When reports of related retinopathy were published in some countries it was banned such use by the FDA but the substance however, is still available from some outlets.The retinal appearance is unique, with deposits in the nerve fiber layer surrounding but sparing the macula. The retinopathy is related to the amount of canthaxanthin ingested and focal defects of the pigment epithelium: Although patients are asymptomatic, with visual acuity and color perception remaining normal, there are reports of a prolonged dark adaptation curve.
Case report. A 50-year-old man presented with asymptomatic golden, crystallinelike deposits in the superficial layers in both maculae. Visual acuity was 20/20 AO, and the anterior segments, color vision, and tensions were normal in both eyes. For the previous year the patient had ingested 100 to 150 mg/d of canthaxanthin to produce and maintain bronze-tone skin. Fluorescein angiography showed no dye leakage around the crystalline granules.The deposits appear to be irreversible and in this patient have persisted unchanged for 8 years.

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