Introduction

The aim of this study is to find the relationship between visual function changes and vigabatrin treatment continuation or discontinuation.

Material and methods

19 patients (11 males, 8 females) from 8 to 20 years old, treated with vigabatrin because of partial epilepsy, were examined. Best corrected visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and static visual field were done. The examinations were repeated after 1-2 months and after 1-2 years. The longest follow-up was about three years (one girl). In some children from this group additional elctrophysiologic tests (ERG, EOG according to ISCEV standards), were done.

Results

Corrected visual acuity was 5/5 in all eyes. Contrast sensitivity was normal and it was not changed in followup period. Abnormal visual field was found in more than half of examined patients. The improvement of visual field occurred after vigabatrin discontinuation, but in one patient the improvement occurred although vigabatrin treatment was continued. Most of the patients refused control ERG and EOG, but in first examination decreased or border b-wave amplitude after „flicker 30Hz” was found.

Conclusions

In some patients treated with vigabatrin reversible visual field changes occurred. Multicentre study should be performed, to solve the problem of relationship between visual field changes, vigabatrin and other antiepileptic treatment. All tests in group of epileptic patients are difficult because of poor cooperation.