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| CASE REPORT |
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| Year : 1989 | Volume
: 37
| Issue : 3 | Page : 150-151 |
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Presumed DDS ocular toxicity
TA Alexander, Renu Raju, Thomas Kuriakose, AM Cherian
Department of Ophthalmology, Christian Medical College, Vellore - 632 001, India
Correspondence Address:
T A Alexander
Department of Ophthalmology, Christian Medical College, Vellore - 632 001
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
PMID: 2632454 
How to cite this article:
Alexander T A, Raju R, Kuriakose T, Cherian A M. Presumed DDS ocular toxicity. Indian J Ophthalmol 1989;37:150-1 |
| Introduction | |  |
Diaminodiphenylsulfone (D D S) or Dapsone causes a number of side effects in the body. Here we are reporting a case of presumed retinal toxicity following a massive dose of Dapsone ingestion.
| Case report | | |
A twenty-eight year old female, a known case of tuberculoid leprosy on treatment with 50 mgs of DDS per day for past three years, presented to us with a three day history of blurring of vision, five days after consuming a large dose (about 2.5gm) of DDS in a suicidal attempt.
Her other symptoms included giddiness, headache, nausea, epigastric discomfort and vomiting.
Systemic examination revealed cyanosis, pallor, a pulse of 100/mt and blood pressure of 120/70mmHg. There was a haemic murmur in the precordium and liver was just palpable. Deep tendon reflexes were depressed and plantars down going.
Investigations revealed the following abnormal findings. Her serum bilirubin was 4.Omg%. Urine showed traces of albumin and sugar. Haemoglobin was 7.Ogm% and blood picture showed toxic changes, Howel-Jolly bodies and occasional target cells. Blood urea was 48mg% and ESR at 1 hour was 20mm. Blood methemoglobin level was 19% against a normal of 2% and G6PD level was 78 milli IU/10 9 RBC, against a normal of 120240 milli IU/10 9 RBC.
Examination of the eye revealed, 3/60 vision both eyes not improving with pin hole or correction. This worsened to 1/60 both eyes after 12 days. Patient was not cooperative for field examinations. Anterior segment and intraocular tensions were normal. The fundi of both eyes showed pale discs with attenuated vessels. There was a massive deposition of greyish white material concentrated at the macular region with a relatively free fovea. Scattered powdery deposits were seen in the periphery [Figure - 1]. The patient was treated by the internist with methylene blue, high doses of vitamin C and blood transfusions.
On follow up over two weeks, these deposits cleared to a great extent. The last area to clear was the macular region. Fluorescein angiography showed blocked fluorescein in the areas of deposits [Figure - 2].
| Discussion | | |
Isolated cases of transient blurring of vision, paraesthesias etc has been reported with DDS [1]. Optic atrophy with DDS over dose has been reported [2].But this case had haemorrhages and exudates in the retina. These authors attribute the toxicity to a mechanism similar to chloroquine where there is a vaso constriction. The white powdery deposits at the periphery and that which were concentrated in the macular region were most probably the drug or its metabolities. The clinical picture does not seem to suggest that these deposits were exudates. The concentration at the macula may be due to the "sink" like effect at the macula (i.e. exudates or deposits have a tendency to flow towards the macular region from other parts of the retina).
From the clinical picture, fundus photograph and fluorescein angiogram the most likely area of this deposit seems to be the inner layers of the retina. The reduction of visual acuity to 1/60 after two weeks inspite of the progressive clearing of the deposits and the associated disc pallor suggests an irreversible damage. The patient was unfortunately lost to follow up subsequently.
DDS is distributed through out the body and retention of the drug in the skin, muscles, liver and kidney has been documented three weeks after the last dose [1]. The low level of GOD in her may explain the increased drug retention and consequent toxicity as DDS is acetylated in the body.
DDS has also been reported to cause a reversible axonal degeneration [1]. Electrophysiological studies would perhaps have given a better insight in to the nature of these lesions.
| References | | |
| 1. | Goodman and Gilman - Pharmacological basis of therapeutics 5th ed. Macmillan Publishing Co., 1216 - 1218, 1975.  |
| 2. | Dapsone induced optic atrophy and motor neuropathy. Homeida M., Babikr A., Daneshmend T. K., Br. Med. Journal; Vol. 281, ISS 6249, PII80,1980. |
[Figure - 1], [Figure - 2]
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