Unilateral optic neuropathy in a patient on tacrolimus therapy after kidney transplantation
Abstract
Tacrolimus, is a calcineurin inhibitor used in immunosuppressive treatment after kidney transplantation with known potential neurotoxic effects. A rare complication that may occur even several years of tacrolimus therapy and manifest by serious visual loss is optic neuropathy. Discontinuation of tacrolimus therapy rarely leads to improvement, but carries the risk of transplanted organ dysfunction. We present a case report of a patient after kidney transplantation with unilateral optic neuropathy, which occurred after 3 years of tacrolimus use with maintenance of recommended therapeutic levels. In the presented case, local and systemic treatment with steroids, as well as continuation of tacrolimus at a reduced daily dose allowed for maintenance of transplanted kidney function without progressive atrophy of optic nerve.
Keywords: optic nerve neuropathytacrolimuscalcineurin inhibitorneurotoxicity