Reprints not available. Canthaxanthin retinopathy is characterized by bilateral crystalline deposits in the superficial retina. Several cases reports have described unilateral canthaxanthine retinopathy in persons with ipsilateral retinal disease suggesting that certain types of injury may predispose the retina to the effects of canthaxanthin. We report a woman with unilateral canthaxanthin retinopathy whose eye was otherwise normal. Her ocular examination was normal except for unilateral canthaxanthin retinopathy.
Canthaxanthin deposits can exist unilaterally in a normal retina.
Since the deposits may be slowly reversible, unilateral retinopathy could represent a situation in which bilateral involvement is altered over time by different rates of resorption in each eye. Canthaxanthin is a naturally occurring carotenoid that when taken orally may cause crystalline deposits in the superficial retina. These case reports suggest preferential involvement in eyes with underlying retinal disease. We report a patient with unilateral canthaxanthin retinopathy in an otherwise normal eye. She had no other visual symptoms or past ocular history.