Visual function in prolactinoma patients treated with bromocriptine

Ophthalmology. 1985 Oct;92(10):1332-41. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(85)33853-8.

Abstract

Ten patients with prolactin-secreting pituitary adenomas (prolactinoma) and visual dysfunction were treated primarily with bromocriptine. Nine patients had improvement of visual field or acuity associated with computed tomography (CT) evidence of a decrease in tumor size and reduction of serum prolactin level (SPL). Visual improvement usually began within days of commencing bromocriptine therapy. One patient with initial improvement had a worsening of visual fields at 11 months despite a normal SPL and a stable CT appearance of tumor size. This patient and the single patient without visual improvement underwent trans-sphenoidal hypophysectomy (TSH), but neither patient had postoperative visual improvement. Two other patients underwent TSH for nonvisual reasons. The remaining six patients have maintained excellent visual function at last follow-up (average of 18 months on bromocriptine therapy). This study shows that bromocriptine is an effective short- and long-term therapy for most patients with visual dysfunction due to prolactinoma.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bromocriptine / adverse effects
  • Bromocriptine / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Pituitary Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Prolactin / metabolism*
  • Vision, Ocular / physiology*
  • Visual Acuity
  • Visual Fields

Substances

  • Bromocriptine
  • Prolactin