Q: Digitalis even with therapeutic serum levels causes chromatopsia and photopsia. What is that?


Answer:

Chromatopsia = a subjective perception that objects possess colors other than their objective colors, especially that of the yellow or green variety.

Photopsia = the subjective sensation of seeing lights not present in the environment.

Visual abnormalities are the most common subjective symptoms of digitalis intoxication. "Digitalized"patients may also note other less visual symptoms like snowy vision, blurred vision and decreased visual acuity. It is important to note that visual disturbances may be the sole clinical manifestation of digitalis intoxication - and more importantly may happen even within or below the therapeutic range and without any other clinical evidence of digitalis toxicity.