Abstract

Background: Ocular Toxicity is one of the most common complication of Ethambutol. It can be in the form of both reversible and irreversible blindness. Aim and Objective: To study Ethambutol induced ocular toxicity in patients using anti tuberculosis treatment (ATT). To characterize duration of treatment at which ocular symptoms are starting. To evaluate the dose of ethambutol at which ocular toxicity is evident. To study the reversibility of ocular toxicity in the form of improvement in visual acuity after stopping ethambutol. Methodology: Patients on ATT referred to ASRAM Respiratory Medicine department from various ophthalmology hospitals for blurring of vision due to Ethambutol were taken into study from April 2022-2023 after taking consent. Results: Most of the patient’s symptoms that is blurring of vision started after 3-4 months of ATT [40.15%] and mean dosage is 20.86 mg/kg/day. Conclusion: In most patients Ethambutol induced ocular toxicity is observed in continuation phase of treatment and those who are falling at lower end of body-weight band. In few patients with stopping of Ethambutol blurring of vision was reversible.

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