Canthaxanthin Retinopathy with Visual Loss: A Case Report and Review

Canthaxanthin is a naturally occurring chemical, which is most commonly utilized as a colorant for food and dyes or a skin bronzing agent. Its most prevalent impact on human health is canthaxanthin retinopathy, which appears as birefringent, yellow to red crystals surrounding the macula. This occurs...

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Main Authors: Robert A. Beaulieu, Ronald E. Warwar, Bruce M. Buerk
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2013-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Ophthalmological Medicine
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/140901
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author Robert A. Beaulieu
Ronald E. Warwar
Bruce M. Buerk
author_facet Robert A. Beaulieu
Ronald E. Warwar
Bruce M. Buerk
author_sort Robert A. Beaulieu
collection DOAJ
description Canthaxanthin is a naturally occurring chemical, which is most commonly utilized as a colorant for food and dyes or a skin bronzing agent. Its most prevalent impact on human health is canthaxanthin retinopathy, which appears as birefringent, yellow to red crystals surrounding the macula. This occurs with increasing, dose-dependent exposure. Generally, patients remain asymptomatic and findings may only be evident on funduscopic examination. Cessation of canthaxanthin ingestion appears to reverse the retinopathy, but the time until crystal disappearance is variable. Despite a usually favorable outcome, long-standing visual changes may occur. We report a case of an 84-year-old woman with significant visual loss secondary to canthaxanthin retinopathy that ultimately improved upon cessation of the drug.
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series Case Reports in Ophthalmological Medicine
spelling doaj-art-2e95509a9bf2486fb104aa32db82f74b2025-08-20T02:38:51ZengWileyCase Reports in Ophthalmological Medicine2090-67222090-67302013-01-01201310.1155/2013/140901140901Canthaxanthin Retinopathy with Visual Loss: A Case Report and ReviewRobert A. Beaulieu0Ronald E. Warwar1Bruce M. Buerk2Department of Surgery, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, OH 45435, USADivision of Ophthalmology, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, OH 45435, USADivision of Ophthalmology, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway, Dayton, OH 45435, USACanthaxanthin is a naturally occurring chemical, which is most commonly utilized as a colorant for food and dyes or a skin bronzing agent. Its most prevalent impact on human health is canthaxanthin retinopathy, which appears as birefringent, yellow to red crystals surrounding the macula. This occurs with increasing, dose-dependent exposure. Generally, patients remain asymptomatic and findings may only be evident on funduscopic examination. Cessation of canthaxanthin ingestion appears to reverse the retinopathy, but the time until crystal disappearance is variable. Despite a usually favorable outcome, long-standing visual changes may occur. We report a case of an 84-year-old woman with significant visual loss secondary to canthaxanthin retinopathy that ultimately improved upon cessation of the drug.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/140901
spellingShingle Robert A. Beaulieu
Ronald E. Warwar
Bruce M. Buerk
Canthaxanthin Retinopathy with Visual Loss: A Case Report and Review
Case Reports in Ophthalmological Medicine
title Canthaxanthin Retinopathy with Visual Loss: A Case Report and Review
title_full Canthaxanthin Retinopathy with Visual Loss: A Case Report and Review
title_fullStr Canthaxanthin Retinopathy with Visual Loss: A Case Report and Review
title_full_unstemmed Canthaxanthin Retinopathy with Visual Loss: A Case Report and Review
title_short Canthaxanthin Retinopathy with Visual Loss: A Case Report and Review
title_sort canthaxanthin retinopathy with visual loss a case report and review
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/140901
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