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Retinal Phototoxicity Induced by Hydrochlorothiazide After Exposure to a UV Tanning Device
Author(s) -
Costagliola Ciro,
Menzione Massimo,
Chiosi Flavia,
Romano Mario R.,
Della Corte Michele,
Rinaldi Michele
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
photochemistry and photobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.818
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1751-1097
pISSN - 0031-8655
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-1097.2008.00404.x
Subject(s) - phototoxicity , eyewear , medicine , hydrochlorothiazide , visual acuity , fundus (uterus) , retinal , ophthalmology , optometry , chemistry , optics , biochemistry , physics , blood pressure , in vitro
UV radiation is known to cause acute and chronic eye and skin damage. The present case report describes the occurrence of hydrochlorothiazide‐induced retinal phototoxicity immediately after exposure to UV light emanated from a sunbed in a 40‐year‐old myopic woman. During the tanning session she had always worn UV protective eyewear, except for a few minutes when she took the protective goggles off to put her spectacles on to locate and turn the timer switch off. At baseline her visual acuity was 10/25 in OD and 10/80 in OS. Fundus examination revealed the presence of retinal lesions in both eyes. More specific tests confirmed the presence of a phototoxic macular damage. Hydrochlorothiazide was discontinued, and she was recommended to wear UV filtering glasses. Over the follow‐up period (12 months), a slow and progressive visual acuity recovery in both eyes occurred. At the last check the visual acuity improvement was of about 60% from baseline in both eyes. Fundus examination showed only a juxtafoveal flat pigmented scar of the retinal pigment epithelium in both eyes, milder in OD. The constant rise in the number of sunbed users makes the knowledge of UV‐related side effects a problem that cannot be postponed further. Awareness of the general public about the harmful effects of UV exposure must represent one of the leading preventive health strategies. Therefore, a careful analysis of the medical history before the admission to a sunbed session throughout a questionnaire could represent an economic and effective measure to avoid further cases of a phototoxic macular damage in patients taking photosensitizing compounds.