Retinopathy Associated with an Herbal Medicine

 

Agents associated with retinopathy include:

(1) canthaxanthine

(2) Gingko biloba

(3) Glycyrrhiza glabra

(4) Hydroxycut

 

Diagnosis of herbal medicine-related retinopathy:

(1) history of exposure to an herbal medicine

(2) absence of retinopathy prior to exposure OR worsening of retinopathy after exposure

(3) disappearance or improvement after discontinuation of the herbal medicine

 

Herbs to review:

(1) high dose for a prolonged period

(2) associated with hypertension or vascular injury

 

Barriers to diagnosis:

(1) retinopathy due to a comorbid condition (diabetes, hypertension, etc)

(2) no history of herbal medicine exposure or one that is denied