ro-8-8427 and Retinal-Diseases

As reported earlier, crystalline yellow-glistening deposits in the retinal inner layer were identified in 22 of 53 patients treated with PHENORO (containing 10 mg beta-carotene and 15 mg canthaxanthin per capsule) for various light sensitive dermatoses at cumulative doses of canthaxanthin of up to 178 g for up to 12 years. 14 of the 22 patients with deposits could now be investigated again, 5 years after discontinuation of treatment. There was an extensive reduction of the number of deposits, confirming other reports which have demonstrated that the formation of the crystalline deposits is reversible. Analysis of serum samples revealed significant concentrations of canthaxanthin, resulting from the intake of this carotenoid via food.

Topics: Adult; Aged; beta Carotene; Canthaxanthin; Carotenoids; Crystallization; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Combinations; Female; Fundus Oculi; Humans; Liver Function Tests; Male; Middle Aged; Photosensitivity Disorders; Prevalence; Retina; Retinal Diseases; Visual Acuity

Topics: beta Carotene; Canthaxanthin; Carotenoids; Crystallization; Drug Combinations; Female; Humans; Long-Term Care; Macula Lutea; Retinal Diseases

Twenty-five patients (erythropoietic protoporphyria 23, polymorphous light eruption 1, "cosmetics" 1) were re-examined 2-10 months after therapy with beta-carotene and canthaxanthine was discontinued. Dark adaptation and ERG parameters had normalized, whereas crystalline retinopathy and pigment epithelial defects showed no signs of reversibility.

Topics: beta Carotene; Canthaxanthin; Carotenoids; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Combinations; Electroretinography; Fluorescein Angiography; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Photosensitivity Disorders; Porphyrias; Porphyrins; Protoporphyrins; Retinal Diseases; Skin Diseases

Thirty patients who had undergone long-term treatment with carotenoids (max. 14 years and 336 g of carotenoids) were examined. Ophthalmoscopy revealed retinal crystals in 20 patients. The retinal crystals were usually located around the macula, forming a ring, and in one case they were even found in the macula itself. No deterioration of visual acuity or visual field defects were found, but there was a markedly dose-dependent prolongation of the duration of dark adaptation.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; beta Carotene; Canthaxanthin; Carotenoids; Child; Crystallization; Dark Adaptation; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Combinations; Electroretinography; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Retina; Retinal Diseases