Didanosine-induced retinopathy in adults can be reversible

A woman with didanosine retinopathy and non-cirrhotic portal hypertension

“…5 -7 In one patient, follow-up data one year after suspension of ddI showed improvement of symptoms and electrophysiological performance. 7 Our report of asymptomatic retinal changes matches previous descriptions of ddI-associated ocular toxicity, in the absence of other likely causes. Furthermore, we raise the question of this patients' particular sensitivity to ddI, based on the concomitant history of NCPH.…”

Retinal Toxicity of Systemic Medications

“…Fluorescein angiography can reveal early toxicity as diffuse RPE hyperfluorescence. 20 Whitcup et al 21 studied the retinal toxicity of this drug in 43 children affected with HIV in a Phase I-II prospective study with a mean follow-up of 71 weeks. 17,18 Visual function generally improves with discontinuation of the medication.…”

“…17,18 Visual function generally improves with discontinuation of the medication. 20 The retinopathy can be associated with rod and cone dysfunction on ERG as well as electrooculogram abnormalities. 18 Deferasirox A related medication, deferasirox (or ExJade), is a rationally designed iron chelator in oral formulation that has also been reported to lead a subtle maculopathy.…”

“…20 Ritonavir Recently, ritonavir, an antiretroviral also used in the treatment of HIV, was linked to 3 cases of retinal pigment epitheliopathy with parafoveal telangectasis and intraretinal crystal deposits without ocular evidence of cytomegalovirus infection or immune recovery uveitis. Cessation of the medication can lead to a substantial improvement in objective testing, suggesting that macular function can be salvaged; however, the peripheral atrophy is irreversible.…”

Didanosine-Associated Retinal Toxicity (DART) Amongst HIV-Positive Patients: a Case Series and Literature Review

“…To date since 1992, there have been numerous reported cases of didanosine-associated retinal toxicity (DART) amongst adults [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. The reported clinical findings of DART range from mild mid-peripheral pigmentary stippling to extensive patches of chorioretinal atrophy which can affect the macula in advanced cases [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. Patients are initially asymptomatic, but in advanced disease, they can present with significant peripheral visual field defects and nyctalopia [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11].…”