ABSTRACT

A case of bilateral optic atrophy in a patient who was receiving systemic isotretinoin treatment for acne vulgaris is described. An 18-year-old girl who has been receiving 80 mg/week of isotretinoin for the last 6 months presented with ocular pain and headache. Ophthalmological examination revealed a best corrected visual acuity of 20/20 and fundus evaluation revealed optic disc pallor particularly in the temporal region in both eyes. Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was decreased and pattern visual evoked potential amplitudes were diminished related to optic atrophy. Optic nerve atrophy is a possible and rare complication of systemic isotretinoin therapy. Patients taking oral isotretinoin should be followed closely for monitoring drug related ocular side effects.