Multimodal Imaging Can Help Diagnose Elmiron Eye Damage Known as Pigmentary Maculopathy

Austin Kirk

By Austin Kirk
Posted April 23, 2021

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As our lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. continue to investigate and review Elmiron lawsuits for individuals left with a form of vision damage known as pigmentary maculopathy, it is important for former long-term users of the bladder drug to be aware that a relatively simple ophthalmology exam involving multimodal imaging can help detect this eye damage from Elmiron.

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Pigmentary maculopathy is the unique type of retina injury that can cause former users of Elmiron to experience a number of vision side effects, including:

  • Blurry Vision
  • Loss of Night Vision
  • Dark Spots
  • Loss of Vision Detail
  • Difficulty Reading
  • Blindness

Unfortunately, studies have shown that these vision problems can continue to worsen, even after Elmiron is no longer used. In addition, once it occurs, the retina damage is not reversible and often leaves long-term users with permanent vision issues.

Prior to last year, the drug manufacturers provided no warnings about the risk of users developing this eye damage from Elmiron, or the importance of doctors monitoring users for pigmentary changes in the retina. However, a number of independent studies have highlighted the importance of multimodal imaging for users of Elmiron, providing baseline testing when the drug is first prescribed and annual eye exams to help avoid a permanent retina injury.

As a result of the failure to provide these critical warnings years ago, our Elmiron lawyers are pursuing product liability lawsuits for former users throughout the United States. To find out if you or loved one may have a case, request a free consultation and claim evaluation.

Benefits of Multimodal Imagine Diagnosing Elmiron Side Effects

Multimodal imaging involves the use of multiple different types of imagine scans conducted at the same time. By correlating the different types of information those imaging scans produce, healthcare professionals can get a clearer picture of what is occurring in the scanned location.

As independent researchers have examined the link between Elmiron and eye damage, a number of studies used this technique to identify the unique pattern of retina problems specifically seen among users of the interstitial cystitis drug.

In February 2021, researchers with Northwestern University published a study in the journal Clinical Ophthalmology, which identified the “signature” of Elmiron-related maculopathy. Researchers determined that this eye damage could easily be diagnosed by multimodal imaging scans that include fundus photography, fundus autofluoresence and ocular coherence tomography imaging all at once. This resulted in what they called a ”distinct clinical constellation” of retinal damage specifically caused by Elmiron.

20% of Long-Term Users Tested in New Study Found To Have Retina Damage From Elmiron

In April 2021, another study published in the Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology found that 1-in-5 long-term users of Elmiron had evidence of this retina damage. Researchers with the Stein Eye Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles recommended baseline eye examinations to detect macular toxicity from Elmiron, which could be conducted using multimodal imaging that involved near-infrared reflectance (NIR), fundus autofluoresence (FAF) and optical coherence tomography.

There has been evidence of the effectiveness of multimodal imaging to detect the specific eye problems caused by Elmiron for several years.

In November 2018, a study published in the journal Ophthalmology first raised concerns about the vision risks among users of Elmiron. Researchers with Emory University Hospital noted that multimodal retinal imaging helped demonstrate abnormalities in the retinal pigment epithelium, which appeared to linked to chronic Elmiron exposure. However, at that time, the manufacturers had not disclosed the information to users, urologists or the eye care community.

Elmiron Vision Loss Lawsuits

According to allegations being presented in individual vision loss claims and Elmiron class action lawsuits, the drug makers knew or should have known about these risks associated with their medication, but failed to provide warnings until June 2020. It appears this decision was part of a plan to maximize profits at the expense of patients’ vision.

Financial compensation may be available through an Elmiron settlement for former users diagnosed with pigmentary maculopathy or retina damage that is confirmed through multimodal imagine.

The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. provide free consultations to help determine if you or a loved one may have a case, and there are no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained.

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1 Comment • Add Your Comments

  • Eugene says:

    I was a welder for 19 years at Erie mining and did a lot of bare mang. Welding. Then promoted to gen. Forman of all maint. As a welder we used product called dye penitrent to inspect for cracks in much of mining equipment this dye penitrent and the cleaner were very toxit after using one night in a some what inclosed area while driving back to the weld shop a train was crossing in front of me I couldn’t react to the danger Had it not been for my fellow worker I very well could been killed.
    The dye penitrant I think was 3 m product

    Posted on April 29, 2021 at 6:43 am

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