Purpose: To report a case of a patient with a notable side effect to Relenza, an anti-influenza virus medication, who also developed acute transient myopia.
Case report: A 31-year-old woman was diagnosed as having seasonal influenza and treated with Relenza. However, an allergic reaction and blurred vision caused by a transient myopic change were noted after she received Relenza treatment. Relenza-induced acute transient myopia had never been reported. The possible mechanisms include (1) ciliary spasm, (2) lens edema, (3) ciliary body and/or choroidal effusion. Fortunately, the drug-induced myopic change mostly resolved spontaneously after discontinuation of the drug and had a benign course.
Conclusions: Patients suspected of having drug-induced myopia should be examined by an internist for a systemic allergic reaction and referred to an optometrist or an ophthalmologist for further special examinations such as A-scan, B-scan, and ultrasound biomicroscopy. Optometrists and ophthalmologists should keep in mind and be aware of the possible ocular side effect (myopic change) of Relenza and warn patients of this potential condition.