Acta Pharm. 66 (2016) 471-478

 

full paper

Mini-review

 

Side effects of retinoid therapy on the quality of vision

BEATA BERGLER-CZOP, MONIKA BILEWICZ-STEBEL, ANNA STAŃKOWSK and TERESA BILEWICZ-WYROZUMSKA

bettina2@tlen.pl

1 Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Silesia, 40-027 Katowice, Poland

2 Provincial Specialized Hospital MEGREZ Sp. z o. o., 43-100 Tychy, Poland

3 Andrzej Mielęcki Silesian Independent Public Clinical Hospital in Katowice, Department of Dermatology, 40-027 Katowice, Poland

4 Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia, School of Public Health in Bytom, 41-902 Bytom, Poland

Accepted April 18, 2016

Published online August 24, 2016

 

Retinoids are compounds chemically related to vitamin A, which are frequently used in dermatological practice (1). They are characterized by numerous mechanisms of action leading to normalization of keratinocyte proliferation and maturation. They have anti-seborrhoeic, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects (1, 2). A number of side- effects to retinoid treatment have been recorded; one group of such side-effects relates to eyes and vision. Dry eye syndrome and blepharoconjunctivitis are the most common side-effects, appearing in 20–50 % of patients treated with retinoids (14). They often contribute to the occurrence of other side-effects such as eye discomfort and contact lens intolerance. Due to widespread use in clinical practice, the adverse effects, including ocular side effects, should be studied. To confirm the variety of adverse effects of retinoids, several case reports of rare side-effects are presented.

 

Keywords: retinoids, isotretinoin, adverse effects, eyes, acne