Xanthopsia

Xanthopsia: A Vivid Spectrum of Yellow

Xanthopsia pertains to a specific type of color vision anomaly where the individual perceives an undue yellow tinge in their vision. This yellowish predilection can stem from a variety of causes, chiefly alterations or depositions in the optical media of the eye.

Etiology

The underlying causes of xanthopsia span a range from pharmaceutical interventions to pathological alterations:

• Pharmacological Causes: Digoxin, derived from the Digitalis plant and frequently used to manage heart failure, can induce xanthopsia due to its inhibitory effects on the Sodium pump.
• Pathological Causes:

 * Development of cataracts, which can lead to a yellow filtering effect in vision.
 * Jaundice, a condition characterized by elevated bilirubin levels. In extreme cases, bilirubin might accumulate in the eye, thereby imparting a yellow tint to the vision.

Historical Speculation

The phenomenon of xanthopsia has sparked intrigue even in the art world. A captivating theory postulates that the prominent yellow hue in many of Van Gogh's masterpieces could be attributed to digoxin-induced xanthopsia. The artist's potential use of the drug to manage health conditions might have influenced his choice of colors, granting his works their distinctive golden ambiance.

Clinical Relevance

Recognizing xanthopsia is of paramount significance, especially in patients with heart failure on digoxin therapy, as it might hint at digoxin toxicity. An astute clinician would judiciously evaluate the drug levels and consider alternative management strategies in such scenarios.

See Also

• Color vision
• Optic neuropathy
• Dyschromatopsia

References

Xanthopsia Resources
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