Predictors of Visual Outcomes

Methods: Retrospective medical record review of 122 patients in a cluster outbreak of methanol poisoning. Data collected included history, complete ocular and systemic examination details, time to presentation, amount of alcohol ingested, and results of laboratory investigations, such as hemogram, glucose levels, hematocrit level, arterial pH, methanol levels, potassium and bicarbonate levels, and anion and osmolar gap determination, as well as hepatic and renal function tests. Therapy administered consisted of ethyl alcohol, sodium bicarbonate, and nutritional supplements, with hemodialysis in severe cases. Visual acuity (VA), pupillary reaction, and optic disc findings were assessed at presentation and 3 months after discharge. Patients were classified according to their visual disturbance: transient (group 1) or permanent (group 2). Appropriate statistical analysis was performed. Outcome measures included determining the association between biochemical markers of methanol poisoning and final VA.