Optic Neuropathy Secondary to Linezolid for Vancomycin Resistant Infections

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To describe a case of severe bilateral optic neuropathy in a patient treated with Linezolid. Methods: We reviewed the records of a 62 year old female with a vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus osteomyelitis treated with Linezolid who developed sudden visual loss to hand motion in each eye. Results: The patient was treated with prednisone and improved in two months to 20/80 in the right and counting fingers in the left. Conclusions: One of the few treatments for vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus aureus is Linezolid. With these infections increasing, it is important to be aware of new causes of optic neuropathy.

Keywords: neuro-ophthalmology: optic nerve • drug toxicity/drug effects • optic disc