Journal of Ophthalmology and Research

Effect of Valproic Acid on Retina

Maral Hayani — Mon, 13 May 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are the main form of treatment for people with epilepsy. Around 70% epileptic patients may have their seizures controlled with taking these medications.

Valproic acid is one of the most common drugs using for epileptic patients. This drug has some side effects likenausea, vomiting, bleeding, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, headache. In this research, we want to study on possible side effects of Valproic acid on eye in patients with epilepsy.

Methods and Materials: In this study, we had 28 patients suffering from epilepsy and seizures who take Valproic acid for at least two years. The control group was included of 28 subjects with no history of taking this drug and no visual problem. Electroretinogram (ERG) obtained were compared to both groups to find possible changes.

Results: The mean voltage of ERG was 92.98 ± 12.67 and 92.16 ± 13.47 μV in case and control groups, (P > 0.05). The mean latency was 43.2 ± 3.06 and 44.80 ± 4.36 msec in case and control groups, with P > 0.05. These findings show that there is no Significant difference in ERG parameters in case and control groups.

Conclusions: By the result of this research, it can be concluded that Valproic acid dose not have any side effects on retina in patients taking this drug.

Keywords:Epilepsy; Visual Pathway; Electroretinogram; Valproic Acid

Study visual functions in Epileptic patients using Depakote

Hediyeh Natissiyan — Mon, 13 May 2019 04:58:55 +0000

Depakote (divalproex sodium) is combined of valproic acid and sodium valproate used to treat bipolar disorders, epilepsy and migraine. Side effects of Depakote includes weakness, tremor, drowsiness, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, changes in menstrual periods. The aim of this study is to find if this drug has side effects on retina. Materials and Methods:18 patients suffering from epilepsy with no history of visual complaints were included in the study. They all take Depakote as a medication of treatment epilepsy for at least nine months. Also 18 subjects without such prescription were enrolled as a control group. The VEP and ERG obtained in two groups were compared to find if taking Depakote can affect the eye after a while. Results: The mean voltage of ERG was 87.88 ± 12.08 and 88.16 ± 12.97 μV in case and control groups and the mean latency was 38.2 ± 2.86 and 37.80 ± 3.36 msec in case and control groups (P > 0.05) that shows there is no significant difference for ERG parameters in two groups. The mean latency of VEP, P100 peak were 1.9/7.23 and 96/5.37 msec and the mean amplitude were 8 ± 2.83 and 8 ± 2.41 μv in case and control groups. The difference between two groups was significant in latency of VEP but no significant difference in amplitude was shown comparison of two groups. Conclusions: By the result of this research, one can conclude that Depakote can affect on retina of eye in patients taking this drug for at least few months. Keywords:Depakote, Epilepsy; Visual Evoked Potential; Electroretinogram

Using Visual Evoked Potential to Study the Effect of Methotrexate on Retina

Mariko Chanio — Mon, 13 May 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Methotrexate is a drug generally used to treat some types of cancer or to control severe psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis that has not responded to other treatments. Methotrexate belongs to a class of drugs known as antimetabolites. It works by suppressing the immune system. Common side effect of this drug may includefever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores; nausea, upset stomach, dizziness. The aim of this research is to check if this drug has probable toxic effect on retina. It is a case control study with 16 patients taking Methotrexate for more than one year and 16 healthy population without using the drug. Visual evoked potential (VEP) was recorded, Latency and amplitude of P100 peak was measured in all 32 subjects. Mean and standard deviation were calculated for each group. The mean latencies /S.D. and amplitudes /S.D. of VEP, P100 obtained in two group compared together. There was no statistically significant difference between two groups. Based on the result, we can conclude that visual pathway is not affected in patients taking Methotrexate.