Maculopathy associated with tacrolimus (FK 506)

Korean J Ophthalmol. 2011 Feb;25(1):69-71. doi: 10.3341/kjo.2011.25.1.69. Epub 2011 Jan 17.

Abstract

A 63-year-old man with a history of liver transplantation presented to our clinic complaining of visual disturbance. He had been receiving tacrolimus (FK 506) for 30 months (6 mg/day for 2 years and 3 mg/day for 6 months); he reported that the visual disturbance began while taking tacrolimus. A full ophthalmologic examination and electrophysiologic and imaging studies were performed. The best corrected visual acuity was 0.1 in both eyes. There were no abnormal finding in the anterior segment, pupillary reflexes were normal and, there was no swelling in either optic disc. Although the foveal reflex was slightly decreased, fluorescein angiography revealed non-specific signs, with the exception of a window defect. A multifocal electro-retinogram revealed decreased amplitude of the central ring. A Swedish interactive threshold algorithm-standard 10-2 visual field test revealed a central scotoma. These findings suggest that tacrolimus may result in maculopathy. Therefore, careful ophthalmologic examination is necessary in the patients taking tacrolimus.

Keywords: Maculopathy; Optic neuropathy; Tacrolimus; Transplantation; Visual field.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Electroretinography
  • Evoked Potentials, Visual
  • Fundus Oculi
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Liver Transplantation
  • Macula Lutea / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Care
  • Reaction Time
  • Retinal Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Retinal Diseases / diagnosis
  • Scotoma / chemically induced
  • Scotoma / diagnosis
  • Tacrolimus / adverse effects*
  • Tacrolimus / therapeutic use
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Tacrolimus