Therapeutics · Ovulation Agents

Visual disturbance secondary to clomiphene citrate

Purvin VA

Published April 1995 Archives of Ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960), 113(4), 482-484
DOI 10.1001/archopht.1995.01100040102034 PMID 7710399

Abstract

Objective

To identify a distinctive constellation of persistent visual abnormalities secondary to treatment with clomiphene citrate.

Design

Description of the clinical findings in three patients with visual disturbance secondary to clomiphene treatment.

Setting

A neuro-ophthalmology referral center.

Patients

Three women aged 32 to 36 years treated for infertility with clomiphene for 4 to 15 months.

Results

All three patients experienced prolonged afterimages (palinopsia), shimmering of the peripheral field, and photophobia while undergoing treatment with clomiphene. The results of the neuro-ophthalmologic examination and electrophysiologic studies were normal in all three patients. Unlike previously reported cases, visual symptoms did not resolve on cessation of treatment. Patients remain symptomatic from 2 to 7 years after discontinuing treatment with the medication.

Conclusions

Treatment with clomiphene can cause prolonged visual disturbance. Patients who develop such symptoms should be advised that continued administration may cause irreversible changes. Women with characteristic visual symptoms should be questioned about past use of clomiphene.

Topics

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Therapeutics › Ovulation Agents › Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators
Valerie A. Purvin
V Purvin
PMID 7710399 7710399 DOI 10.1001/archopht.1995.01100040102034 10.1001/archopht.1995.01100040102034 Purvin et al. 1995, Purvin 1995