Eyes
General, vitamin A, chloramphenicol
General
1960 Blattner RJ. Ocular findings in cystic fibrosis of the pancreas. J Pediatr 1960; 57:287-9. [PubMed]
This is the first reference to ocular findings in PubMed. The next is by Bruce GM et al. 1960 which is abstracted below under Chloramphenicol
2015 Roberts R; Speight L; Lee J; George L; Ketchell RI; Lau D; Duckers J. Retinal screening of patients with cystic fibrosis-related diabetes in Wales – a real eye opener. J Cyst Fibros 2015; 14(2):282-4. [PubMed]
In the UK the National Screening Committee recommends annual retinal screening for all diabetic patients over the age of twelve years. Currently, patients on insulin therapy for Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes Mellitus (CFRD) at the All Wales Adult Cystic Fibrosis Service, UK are invited for annual screening. 67 of the 228 (29%) patients attending the CF centre were receiving insulin therapy. Of the 43 who had retinal scans, 18 (42%) had evidence of retinopathy. Patients with retinopathy had a higher mean HbA1c (p=0.04), mean duration of diabetes and mean duration on insulin (p<0.001).
Almost half of the patients screened had evidence of retinopathy but over a third of the patients with CFRD did not attend screening appointments. Improving patient uptake of retinal scans will become increasingly important in an ageing CF population.
– A disappointing proportion of eligible patients attended for retinal screening particularly in view of the high percentage of retinopathy in those who did attend.
2017 Everage NJ, Bai Y, Loop B, Volkova N, Liu N, Enger C. Diagnosed cataracts in patients with cystic fibrosis in a United States administrative database. Ophthalmic Genet. 2017 Apr 10:1-6. doi: 10.1080/13816810.2017.1301964. [Epub ahead of print [Pubmed]
The prevalence of diagnosed cataracts among patients with CF alive and enrolled in a large US health plan on August 31, 2012 was 4.8% versus 2.8% in the general population. The adjusted IRR comparing the CF and GP cohorts was 1.5 (95% CI: 1.2-1.8).
– Yet another potential problem for people with CF that increases with age.
Vitamin A
1923 Wilson JR, DuBois RO. Report of a fatal case of keratomalacia in an infant with postmortem examination. Am J Dis Child 1923; 26:431-446.
A female infant aged five months died 18 days after admission. She had been fed almost entirely on diluted condensed milk and was severely wasted. There was severe keratomalacia and eventually perforation of the left cornea. At autopsy microscopic examination showed extensive changes in many organs including the lungs, salivary glands and pancreas. There were inflammatory lesions in the lachrymal and salivary glands.
The pancreas (figure 12 in main text) showed keratinisation in certain ducts, many epithelial lined cyst like cavities, a marked inflammatory processes and extensive fibrosis. The lungs also showed keratinisation of the epithelium a marked peribronchitis, bronchiectatic cavities and abscesses. The authors observed – “To the mechanical effect of desquamated keratinized epithelium we are inclined to attribute the pancreatic cysts and bronchiectasis”.
– This is an interesting paper as Dorothy Andersen, who described CF in 1938, for many years considered the pancreatic lesions and intestinal malabsorption to be primary and the other systemic effects to be the result of the vitamin A deficiency which, for example, caused secondary squamous conversion of the lining respiratory epithelium. It seems almost certain that the present infant in this report had CF with severe secondary vitamin A deficiency.
1931 Daffinee RW, Higgins HL, Mallory TB. Corneal ulcers and roughened conjunctivae associated with fat intolerance. N Engl J Med 1931; 204:1264-1267.
A white male infant aged six months had spots on his eyes noted by the mother also weight loss. He died of bronchopneumonia one month later and at one stage was excreting 40% of his dietary fat intake (70% of which was neutral fat). Autopsy showed almost complete atresia of the cystic duct and histologically “extremely marked disease of the pancreas” – practically all the acinar tissue had disappeared. The lungs showed multiple abscesses. Mallory, the author who was the pathologist, writes “in the later stages of the disease he had a definite pancreatic lack whatever the original cause may have been”.
– There can be little doubt that this infant had CF although there are a number of reports suggesting that severe stenosis or even atresia of the pancreatic duct may the the primary cause of the clinical syndrome
1933 Blackfan KD, Wolbach SB. Vitamin A deficiency in infants. J Pediatr 1933; 3:679-706.
Kenneth Blackfan (1883-1941) was Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins, then Professor of Pediatrics at
Cincinnati and at Harvard from 1923 to 1941. He apparently ‘mentored’ both Louis Diamond and Sydney Farber. In 1941 he died of lung cancer at the age of 58 – at the height of his career. The Children’s’ Hospital in Boston is on Blackfan Street – named after him.
– This is an interesting account primarily of early vitamin A deficiency, in which there was considerable interest at the time, the vitamin having been discovered relatively recently in 1919. In 13 infants and young children, 11 of whom were eventually autopsied, vitamin A deficiency was reported. Epithelial metaplasia due to vitamin A deficiency was considered an important predisposing factor to infection by causing – “loss of protective powers of the epithelium due to diminished or absent mucus secretion and loss of ciliary motion”. Six of the 11 infants autopsied had extensive pancreatic lesions (later recognised as typical of CF), that the authors correctly attributed to inspissation of secretion in the ducts.
The authors noted that “The pancreatic lesions were all identical and presumably representing a disease entity. At first we regarded the pancreatic changes as the result of vitamin A deficiency (as did Dorothy Andersen for some years). As the same condition has been found scores of times without other evidences of vitamin A deficiency and since it is not constant even in vitamin A deficiency, we must consider the two are not necessarily connected”. The photomicrograph of pancreas is typical of the changes seen in CF for which Blackfan & May (1938) gave credit to Wolbach for the first clear description.
The authors continue “The pancreatic lesion referred to is characterised by dilatation of acini and ducts, by inspissated secretion, atrophy of the acini, lymphoid and leukocyte infiltration of some degree and fibrosis. Our preliminary studies indicate that the pathogenesis of this striking pancreatic affection resides in the production of an abnormal secretion which inspissates and leads to distension and atrophy of ducts and acini. It is reasonable to assume that this pancreatic lesion, if extensive, may be responsible for failure to utilise fats and hence vitamin A in the presence of an adequate intake”.
The authors concluded that vitamin A deficiency was not infrequent and should be suspected without regard to the characteristic eye signs; histological evidence of vitamin A deficiency may appear in infants who appear to be receiving and adequate intake; they postulate that some factor or factors interfering with storage or utilisation of this vitamin lessens the availability of the supply essential for normal nutrition; certain diagnostic criteria to identify at an early stage are mentioned and vitamin A deficiency should be considered as a general systemic disease rather than as a local disease of the eye.
1995 Morkeberg JC, Edmund C, Prause JU, Lanng S, Koch C, Michaelsen KF. Ocular findings in cystic fibrosis patients receiving vitamin A supplementation. Graefe’s Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 1995; 233:709-713.[PubMed]
Only 26% of 35 patients examined in the Copenhagen CF clinic had normal vitamin A status as measured by serum retinol and light sensitivity but reduced contrast sensitivity. Conjunctival imprints showed dry eye in 42%; decreased tear stability in 49% and other abnormalities of low tear production (31%) and increased numbers of dying cells (23%). In fact 26% were considered to have the criteria for “keratoconjunctivitis sica”. The authors even suggested that the high incidence of dry eye could be a primary manifestation of CF.
– These findings are more likely the result of suboptimal vitamin A status particularly as only 26% had normal vitamin A levels. In studies where vitamin A status is regularly monitored to maintain normal serum levels, only reduced contrast sensitivity is found (Ansari et al. 1999) and the cause of this is unexplained.
2008 Mrugacz M. Kasacka I. Bakunowicz-Lazarczyk A. Kaczmarski M. Kulak W. Impression cytology of the conjunctival epithelial cells in patients with cystic fibrosis. Eye 2008; 22:1137-1140. [PubMed]
Cystic fibrosis affects all secretory epithelia, including the eye, and belongs to the group of ocular surface epithelial diseases, termed keratoconjunctivitis sicca or dry eye syndrome. The aim of this study was to evaluate goblet cell population and conjunctival epithelial morphology in patients with CF. A total of 20 CF patients and 20 controls underwent conjunctival impression cytology. Impression cytology showed conjunctival squamous metaplasia and goblet cell loss in patients with CF. The reduced goblet cell numbers and squamous metaplasia may be indicative of a higher degree of epithelial damage of conjunctival epithelial cells in CF patients, and the presence of neutrophils is a strong sign for an inflammatory background of this disease.In view of the simple, noninvasive nature of impression cytology, this technique may prove to be an important tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of dry eye changes in CF patients.
– These changes are described in a number of reports dealing with vitamin A status and still appear to be present even when the vitamin levels are normal. (Ansari EA et al. 1999[PubMed]).
Chloramphenicol
1952 Wallenstein L, Snyder J. Neurotoxic reactions to Chloromycetin. Ann Int Med 1952; 36:1526-1528.
The first report of some of the serious side effects of chloramphenicol (the antibiotic first became available in 1951) in a 24 year-old patient (who did not have CF) with ulcerative colitis after 4 months continuous treatment with the antibiotic. The lady developed loss of vision, optic and peripheral neuritis but fortunately this settled when the drug was stopped. This is the first of a number of reports of chloramphenicol toxicity following prolonged use (Keith CG. Arch Dis Child 1966; 41:262-266; Harley RD et al. Trans Am Acad Ophthalmol Otolaryngol 1970; 74:1011-1031). Lasky MA et al. JAMA 1953; 151:1403-1404) reported a boy aged 14 with Staphylococcal endocarditis who had 6 g of chloramphenicol daily for 6 weeks and developed optic neuritis; later there was no recovery of vision.
– The first reports of side effects in people with CF, who also required prolonged courses of antibiotics, was some 10 years later (Denning et al, 1963 below; Huang NN. J Pediatr 1966; 68:32-44 below).
1960 Bruce GM, Denning CR, Spalter HF. Ocular findings in cystic fibrosis of the pancreas: a preliminary report. Arch Ophthalmol 1960; 63:391-401.[PubMed]
The authors became aware of complaints referable to impaired vision and abnormal fundal appearances in their patients in the summer of 1958 and they report the eye findings in 27 patients. Definite impairment of vision was noted in 4 of 10 patients. Characteristic findings were “varying degrees of
engorgement and edema of the disc marked in some instances by haemorrhages and in others by cystic changes in the macula”. All those affected had severe pulmonary involvement and raised gammaglobulin levels in the serum and spinal fluid. A later report failed to provide an explanation for the eye changes including chronic hypoxia, hypercapnia, right heart failure, increased intracranial pressure, a bleeding tendency or some disturbance of serum globulins (Soc Pediatr Res 1960; abstract 127). In 1963 the effects of chloramphenicol were reported (Denning et al, 1963 below).
– Dr Carolyn Denning was one of the leading CF paediatricians at that time working first in New York with Dorothy Andersen and later at St Vincent’s Hospital in New York. In the figure she is examining the hand print of a person with CF on a “Shwachman plate” (see N Eng J Med 1956:255:999-1001).
– I had the pleasure of visiting her unit in the late Eighties, having been encouraged to do so by Ron Tucker the then Director of the UK CF Trust; he was very keen that I should visit her. Carolyn Denning was the first woman to chair the National Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Medical Advisory Council and was one of the first to organize and initiate a multidisciplinary team approach to management of the disease – this was very apparent when visiting her and her team at St Vincent’s. A quote from the website “A Changing Face of Medicine” typifies her general approach – “My office visits,” she says, “are conducted in a private setting with no interruptions by telephone or office personnel with a one-hour minimum allotted to each patient. I am realistic yet optimistic, stressing the importance of hope. I am current on research activities in the field as well as other important relevant events. I follow through on all matters pertaining to the patient and his office visit and I am available by telephone at all times. I put great stress on personal integrity, ethics and moral beliefs. As director of a large, multi-disciplinary group of health professionals, I have worked hard to choose people who share the same philosophy.” It was good to see such an excellent team in action.
1963 Denning CR, Bruce GM, Spalter HF. Optic neuritis in chloramphenicol treated patients with cystic fibrosis. J Pediatr 1963; 63:878.
The first report of optic neuritis in four children with CF on long term chloramphenicol – a complication which had been reported first in 1952 by Wallstein & Snyder (1952 above) in a woman with inflammatory bowel disease who after five months developed optic neuritis and peripheral neuritis.
– Later a number of reports in people with CF were reviewed by Harley RD et al (Trans Am Acad Ophthalmol Otol 1970; 74:1011-103.[PubMed]). Numbness and tingling of the peripheries preceded the ocular signs which appeared to be related to the total dose received. It was suggested that 25 mg/kg/day for not more than 3 months was relatively safe. Fortunately, visual acuity usually recovered soon after stopping the drug but may recur if treatment was resumed. (Also Huang N et al. J Pediatr 1966; 68:32-44.[PubMed]).
1966 Huang NN, Harley RD, Promadhattavedi V, Sproul A. Visual disturbances in cystic fibrosis following chloramphenicol administration. J Pediatr 1966; 68:32-44.[PubMed]
There were visual changes in nine (27%) of 33 patients with CF who had received chloramphenicol in total doses of 81-283 g. The authors mention another patient treated with 135 g of chloramphenicol over 4.5 months (Cocke JG, et al. J Pediatr 1966; 68:27). The authors state that although visual disturbances had been described in children with CF and advanced respiratory disease (Bruce GM et al. Arch Ophthalmol 1960; 63:391-401.[PubMed]) only advanced respiratory changes were present as an explanation; however, these authors later described four children with eye changes due to chloramphenicol (Denning et al. J Pediat 1963; 63:878. above) as did Huang et al. (3rd Interscience Conference Antimicrob Chemother 1963:79). Such patients with eye changes had always received prolonged treatment with chloramphenicol. The eye symptoms usually improved when the drug was stopped. Regular tests of vision were advised when the drug was used for prolonged periods.
1970 Harley RD, Huang NN, Macri CH, Green WR. Optic neuritis and optic atrophy following chloramphenicol in cystic fibrosis patients. Trans Am Acad Ophthalmol Otolaryngol 1070; 74:1011-1031. [PubMed]
This is a review of the literature on chloramphenicol toxicity and experience with eye complications in cystic fibrosis. The authors considered that the peripheral numbness, tingling and cramps frequently preceded the ocular signs which were often sudden. Variable ocular signs were seen including both papilloedema and normal disks. Optic neuritis and visual loss were related both to dosage and duration of treatment. 25 mg/kg/day for not more than 3 months appeared to be safe. Fortunately, most patients’ visual acuity returned soon after stopping the drug.
*1987 Spaide RF, Diamond G, D’Amico RA, Gaerlan PF, Bisberg DS. Ocular findings in cystic fibrosis. Am J Opthalmol 1987; 103:204-10. [PubMed]
The authors examined 32 patients with cystic fibrosis, paying special attention to optic nerve performance and pupillary function. Decreased visual acuity occurred in nine of 64 eyes. Three of 17 patients (18%) who used chloramphenicol had bilaterally delayed P100 waves of the visual-evoked response of greater than 3 standard deviations. This was not found in patients who did not use chloramphenicol. Contrast sensitivity in patients with cystic fibrosis was decreased at every spatial frequency when compared to healthy controls. This decrease was noted in patients who did and did not use chloramphenicol, suggesting that chloramphenicol is not the only cause of decreased contrast sensitivity in cystic fibrosis.
With pharmacologic pupil testing the authors determined that patients with cystic fibrosis display a preganglionic oculosympathetic paresis that corresponded to the disease severity, as measured by the Shwachman score.
Autonomic Abnormalities
1963 Rubin LS, Barbero GJ, Chernick WS, Sibinga MS. Pupillary reactivity as a measure of autonomic balance in cystic fibrosis. J Pediatr 1963; 63:1120-1129.[PubMed]
There was considerable interest in possible abnormalities of the autonomic nervous system considered to be in some way related to the basic defect. The authors found significant differences in the pupillary reactivity between people with CF and controls. Holzel in Manchester had found normal levels of acetyl cholinesterase in various tissues and concluded any cholinergic over-stimulation was not due to absence of the hydrolysing enzyme (Holzel A et al. Lancet 1962; i: 822-823). Autonomic abnormalities were later confirmed by Davies et al, (N Eng J Med 1980; 302:1453-1456.) and more recently were reviewed by Mirakhur A et al. (J R Soc Med 2003; 96 Suppl 43:11-17).2017
– Although there was considerable interest in autonomic abnormalities this knowledge does not appear to have made any contribution to either the treatment or the understanding of the basic defect. There was a later reports of excessive finger wrinkling in people with CF when their fingers were immersed in warm water and this phenomenon has been related to autonomic function (Elliott, 1974 below).
(Please see “CNS” Topic for more on autonomic abnormalities)
OTHER CONDITIONS
2018 Mankichian B, Dulz S, Keserü M, Oqueka T, Schüttauf F, Wagenfeld L.[Bilateral 4MRGN Pseudomonas aeruginosa-associated choroidal abscesses in cystic fibrosis : Bilateral enucleation of the eyes as a last resort in a life-threatening situation].Ophthalmologe. 2018 Aug 30. doi: 10.1007/s00347-018-0780-3. [Epub ahead of print] [Article in German] [PubMed]
The authors describe bilateral choroidal abscesses due to a multidrug-resistant gram negative (4MRGN) Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung colonization in a patient with cystic fibrosis under immunosuppression after lung transplantation. Bilateral choroidal and sub retinal abscesses were detected by funduscopy, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and phacovitrectomy and were accompanied by bilateral acute vision loss. The diagnosis was confirmed by intraoperative subretinal biopsy. Due to therapy resistance a bilateral enucleation for life-saving purposes was performed.
2018 de Vries JJ, Chang AB, Bonifant CM, Shevill E, Marchant JM. Vitamin A and beta (β)-carotene supplementation for cystic fibrosis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018 Aug 9;8:CD006751. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006751.pub5. Update of Vitamin A supplementation for cystic fibrosis. [Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014].
To determine if supplementation with vitamin A, carotenes or other retinoid supplements in children and adults with CF reduces the frequency of vitamin A deficiency disorders, improves general and respiratory health and affects the frequency of vitamin A toxicity.
Since no randomised or quasi-randomised controlled studies on retinoid supplementation were identified, no conclusion on the supplementation of vitamin A in people with CF can be drawn. Additionally, due to methodological limitations in the included study, also reflected in the low-quality evidence judged following the specific evidence grading system (GRADE), no clear conclusions on β-carotene supplementation can be drawn. Until further data are available, country- or region-specific guidelines regarding these practices should be followed.
2018 Starr MR, Norby SM, Scott JP, Bakri SJ. Acute retinal vein occlusion and cystic fibrosis. Int J Retina Vitreous. 2018 Jul 18;4:26. doi: 10.1186/s40942-018-0129-8. eCollection 2018. Free PMC Article [PubMed]
The ocular manifestations of cystic fibrosis typically present with surface irritation or nyctalopia due to Vitamin A deficiency, however, there have been two previous reports of patients with cystic fibrosis that developed retinal vein occlusions. These reports hypothesized that either elevated fibrinogen levels due to chronic infections or elevated homocysteine levels have predisposed patients with cystic fibrosis to develop retinal vein occlusions.
The authors report a 35-year-old male with cystic fibrosis complicated by chronic sinusitis with no history of organ transplantation or chronic pulmonary infections who presented with an acute branch retinal vein occlusion in his left eye with associated macular edema. Evaluation revealed an elevated fibrinogen level, while the rest of his workup was relatively unremarkable including a normal homocysteine level. His vision remained 20/20 throughout his care and he did not require treatment of his macular edema.
The authors concluded patients with cystic fibrosis are at an increased risk of developing retinal vein occlusions likely due to a variety of systemic thrombogenic factors rather than a single risk factor which had been reported previously. Elevated fibrinogen levels in these patients may not be due to chronic infections, but inherent to the cystic fibrosis.
2018 Berczeli O, Vizvári E, Katona M, Török D, Szalay L, Rárosi F, Németh I, Rakonczay Z, Hegyi P, Ding C, Tóth-Molnár E. Novel Insight Into the Role of CFTR in Lacrimal Gland Duct Function in Mice. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2018 Jan 1;59(1):54-62. doi: 10.1167/iovs.17-22533. [PubMed] Free PMC Article
The role of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in lacrimal gland (LG) function has only recently received some attention, mainly from our group. In the present study, we investigated the potential changes of LG pathology, tear secretion, ocular surface integrity, and fluid secretion in isolated LG ducts from CFTR knockout (KO) mice.
Tear production and ocular surface integrity were investigated in anesthetized wild-type (WT) and KO mice using cotton threads and fluorescein staining, respectively. Immunofluorescence was used to localize CFTR protein in the LGs. Ductal fluid secretions evoked by forskolin (10 μM); cell-permeable cAMP analogue (8-bromo cAMP, 100 μM); or carbachol (100 μM) were measured in isolated LG ducts using video-microscopy. Intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis underlying carbachol stimulation was investigated with microfluorometry.
Significant decrease in tear secretion and impaired ocular surface integrity were observed in KO mice. Immunofluorescence demonstrated the predominant presence of CFTR protein in the apical membranes of the duct cells from WT mice. Continuous fluid secretion was evoked by forskolin and 8-bromo cAMP in LG ducts from WT mice, while no secretory response was observed in ducts from KO mice. Carbachol caused similar secretory responses in ducts from WT and KO animals without significant differences in cytosolic Ca2+ signaling.
The authors conclude their results suggest the important role of CFTR in LG ductal secretion and in the maintenance of ocular surface integrity, suggesting that CFTR may be a promising target of novel therapeutic approaches in the treatment of dry eye.
Rathin Pujari, Bhairavi Bhatia, Erika Marie Damato, Philip Alexander. Successful non-surgical treatment of pseudomonas choroidal abscess in cystic fibrosis with previous double lung transplantation. BMJ Case Rep 2022 Jan 13;15(1):e245238.doi: 10.1136/bcr-2021-245238. [Pubmed]
Pseudomonas aeruginosa choroidal abscess is a rare condition which tends to affect patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) who have undergone double lung transplantation. Various surgical treatment strategies have been described but almost universally have had a dismal prognosis. We present a case of pseudomonas choroidal abscess in a CF patient with previous double lung transplantation who was managed with medical treatment, with intravitreal and systemic antibiotics, without surgical intervention, which led to successful resolution of the choroidal abscess, preservation of the eye and retention of vision.
Rathin Pujari in the Department of Ophthalmology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.
Majid Moshirfar, Alex H Brown, Christian A Sulit, Wyatt M Corbin , Yasmyne C Ronquillo , Phillip C Hoopes. Corneal Refractive Surgery Considerations in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis and Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator-Related Disorders. Int Med Case Rep J. 2022 Nov 9;15:647-656. doi: 10.2147/IMCRJ.S381078. eCollection 2022. Free PMC article pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36388243/
This article discusses common ocular manifestations of cystic fibrosis (CF) and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator-related disorders (CFTR-RD). A structured approach for assessing and treating patients with CF/CFTR-RD seeking corneal refractive surgery is proposed, as well as a novel surgical risk scoring system. We also report two patients with various manifestations of CFTR dysfunction who presented for refractive surgery and the outcomes of the procedures. Surgeons seeking to perform refractive surgery on patients with CF/CFTR-RD should be aware of mild to severe clinical manifestations of CFTR dysfunction. Specific systemic and ocular manifestations of CF include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchiectasis, recurrent pulmonary infections, CF-related diabetes and liver disease, pancreatic insufficiency, conjunctival xerosis, night blindness, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), and blepharitis. Corneal manifestations include dry eye disease (DED), punctate keratitis (PK), filamentary keratitis (FK), xerophthalmia, and decreased endothelial cell density and central corneal thickness. Utilization of the appropriate review of systems (ROS) and screening tests will assist in determining if the patient is a suitable candidate for refractive surgery, as CF/CFTR-RD can impact the health of the cornea. Collaboration with other medical professionals who care for these patients is encouraged to ensure that their CF/CFTR-RD symptoms are best controlled via systemic and other treatment options. This will assist in reducing the severity of their ocular manifestations before and after surgery.
Majid Moshirfar is at the Hoopes Vision Research Center, Hoopes Vision, Draper, UT, USA.
John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.Utah Lions Eye Bank, Murray, UT, USA
Raksha Jain, Alvit Wolf, Michal Molad, Jennifer Taylor-Cousar, Charles R Esther Jr , Michal Shteinberg. Congenital bilateral cataracts in newborns exposed to elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor in utero and while breast feeding. J Cyst Fibros. 2022 Nov;21(6):1074-1076. doi: 10.1016/j.jcf.2022.10.004. Epub 2022 Oct 18. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36266182/
Elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor (ETI) is known to pass through the placenta and into breast milk in mothers who continue on this therapy while pregnant and breast feeding. Toxicity studies of ivacaftor in rats demonstrated infant cataracts, but cataracts were not reported in human infants exposed to ivacaftor. We describe 3 cases of infants exposed to elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor (ETI) in utero and while breast feeding who were found to have bilateral congenital cataracts within six months of birth. None of the infants had significant visual impairment from the cataracts nor any report of elevated liver function testing. These data highlight the need to counsel females who continue ETI throughout pregnancy and while breast feeding to consider cataract screen for their infants.University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.