Canthaxanthin Retinopathy: A Long-term Observation

Canthaxanthine is a naturally occurring carotenoid that has been a popular over-the-counter oral artificial tanning agent in Europe, Canada, and Australia since 1979. It is also used at low dosage as a food-colouring agent and as a therapeutic agent for photosensitivity disorders such as erythropoietic protoporphyria. Canthaxanthin retinopathy was first described in 1982 by Cortin et al. In Germany the office of the federal board of health refused the permit for oral tanning agents containing canthaxanthine in 1985. At that time the long-term course of the disease was not known. 25 years later the investigators did these long-term follow-up examinations.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Canthaxanthin Retinopathy

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

University Eye Hospital, University of Cologne

Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, 50937, Germany

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

patients using oral tanning agents for at least 2 months.
patients of 18 years or older

Exclusion criteria

none.

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

all eye diseases

Time frame: 2008 and 2009

All patients will have the follow-up examination 2008 or 2009. The examination included at most visual acuity (distant and near vision), Amsler test, examination of anterior segment, posterior segment, 10-2 and 30-2 visual field, electrooculography, electroretinography, multifocal electroretinography, fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and an examination for autofluorescence.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Cologne

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 1983
Primary completion: 2009
Study completion: 2010
First posted: May 21, 2010
Registry last updated: May 21, 2010

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.