Purpose: To describe the clinical features of Ethambutol associated optic neuropathy presented 30 years after the initiation and continuance of ethambutol.
Method: The patient received neuro-ophthalmological examinations including best corrected visual acuity, Ishihara color vision testing, ophthalmoscopy, Humphery visual field, ERG, VEP and MRI of brain.
Result: After discontinued the Ethambutol, visual function recovered in 12 months.
Conclusion: Ethambutol-associated optic neuropathy is characterized with bilateral decreased visual acuity, ceacocentral scotoma, and blue-yellow color vision loss. It usually occurs at 2 months to 12 months after initial treatment. Most patients recover when ethambutol is discontinued, lasting from several weeks to more than 6 months. The case showed that Ethambutol associated optic neuropathy may present as late as 30 years after the initiation of ethambutol and is still reversible.