DR. RUHEL CHACKO

Dr. SIDDHARTH NARENDRAN, DR. MAHESH KUMAR, Dr.PADMAVATHY MAHARAJAN

Abstract

Aim: To document the effect of the revised Antitubercular Treatment (ATT) regimen implemented by the RNTCP on the prevalence of Ethambutol-induced Optic Neuropathy (EON) .

Methods: This was a retrospective, observational, multicentric hospital-based study. The electronic health records of patients with a diagnosis of EON or with history of taking ATT in past or currently on ATT ,presenting to our tertiary eye care centers in South India between Jan 2017 and December 2021 were reviewed, with the change of prevalence of EON being the main result to be measured.

Results: We had received a total number of 5985 patients with history of ATT and 555 new patients diagnosed with EON with its prevalence increasing from 22 of 496 (4.4%) cases in 2017,44 of 1021 (4.3%) in 2018,108 of 1644 (6.5%) in 2019,to 204 out of 1432 (14.2%) in 2020 and 177 out of 1392 (12.7%) cases in 2021.

Conclusion: There is a rise in the prevalence of EON after implementation of the Revised ATT guidelines since 2016 .

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