Complete blindness after optic neuropathy induced by short-term linezolid treatment in a patient suffering from muscle dystrophy

Abstract

We present a case of severe optic neuropathy following linezolid treatment, which led to complete irreversible blindness, in a patient with progressive muscular dystrophy, treated with linezolid for 16 days for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pneumonia. Interruption of antibiotic therapy did not lead to remission of ocular symptoms. Administration of linezolid may lead to severe neuropathy even in the case of short-term treatment.