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What Causes Blurred Vision Post Usage Of Keppra Drops?
Question: I am allergic to Benadryl so I took CTM pills for a watery eye that had a previous infection. On XXXXXXX 30, after a couple of days on CTM pills, I had 4 seizures within 19 hrs and without becoming conscious in between them. Upon awakening, I saw colors blending and had trouble urinating. A week later, a scan showed a small brain bleed. I was put on Keppra and now vision in both eyes is blurred. Will my visual acuity return when the Keppra is out of my system? Also, will my thinking clear...I still don't feel like I did before the seizures. (39 yr old male)
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Visual blurring is a possible side effect of Keppra. However it depends a little also on the site of the bleed, if it happened in a brain area concerned with vision that might be the cause instead of Keppra. If that is not the case and it is due to Keppra it should gradually return to normal once you are off Keppra, often improves even while under treatment after the initial weeks.
As fo the thinking issues....again there is the question of how much they are due to the hemorrhage and how much due to Keppra as it can cause some cognitive changes as well. If due to the hemorrhage it depends on the site and size of hemorrhage, at times some permanent effects can be left after an important brain hemorrhage as some cells are damaged. No clear cut predictions can be made as every patient's brain has its own plasticity and recovery potential. Improvement is expected during the first 6 months, so do not need to despair as you're still recovering. As I said precise predictions can not be made but you have two favorable prognostic factors on your side which are your young age and the fact you say it was a small hemorrhage, so I would say you have every reason to be optimistic that you will return gradually to normality.
Regarding the seizures and treatment with Keppra, I would say that since all the seizures were in the first 24 hours there is reason to hope that you won't develop epilepsy and won't need treatment forever, early seizures have a lower recurrence risk. So once hemorrhage is absorbed and there is no other brain abnormality and control EEG doesn't show any marked epileptiform brain activity it may be considered gradually withdrawing treatment.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Visual blurring is a possible side effect of Keppra. However it depends a little also on the site of the bleed, if it happened in a brain area concerned with vision that might be the cause instead of Keppra. If that is not the case and it is due to Keppra it should gradually return to normal once you are off Keppra, often improves even while under treatment after the initial weeks.
As fo the thinking issues....again there is the question of how much they are due to the hemorrhage and how much due to Keppra as it can cause some cognitive changes as well. If due to the hemorrhage it depends on the site and size of hemorrhage, at times some permanent effects can be left after an important brain hemorrhage as some cells are damaged. No clear cut predictions can be made as every patient's brain has its own plasticity and recovery potential. Improvement is expected during the first 6 months, so do not need to despair as you're still recovering. As I said precise predictions can not be made but you have two favorable prognostic factors on your side which are your young age and the fact you say it was a small hemorrhage, so I would say you have every reason to be optimistic that you will return gradually to normality.
Regarding the seizures and treatment with Keppra, I would say that since all the seizures were in the first 24 hours there is reason to hope that you won't develop epilepsy and won't need treatment forever, early seizures have a lower recurrence risk. So once hemorrhage is absorbed and there is no other brain abnormality and control EEG doesn't show any marked epileptiform brain activity it may be considered gradually withdrawing treatment.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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