Amiodarone keratopathy: drug-induced lipid storage disease

Arch Ophthalmol. 1981 Feb;99(2):257-61. doi: 10.1001/archopht.1981.03930010259007.

Abstract

Therapeutic administration of amiodarone, an antiarrhythmic drug, to eight patients resulted in the formation of vortex-like figures within the anterior cornea. Clinical examination disclosed no visual loss or other ocular abnormality attributable to the drug. In one patient, light and transmission electron microscopy of corneal epithelium, bulbar conjunctiva, and cataractous lens revealed complex lipid deposits within lysosome-like intracytoplasmic inclusions in corneal, conjunctival, and lens epithelium, conjunctival fibrocytes, and conjunctival vascular endothelium. Amiodarone keratopathy is compared clinically and morphologically with the corneal alterations seen in Fabry's disease and in chloroquine use as an example of a drug-induced lipid storage disorder.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amiodarone / adverse effects*
  • Benzofurans / adverse effects*
  • Conjunctiva / ultrastructure
  • Cornea / metabolism
  • Cornea / ultrastructure*
  • Corneal Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Corneal Diseases / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inclusion Bodies / ultrastructure
  • Lipid Metabolism*
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Benzofurans
  • Amiodarone