In an article published last year in The Journal of The American Medical Academy, by Mahyar Etminan et al. set out to “examine the association between use of oral fluoroquinolones and the risk of developing a retinal detachment.” Oral fluoroquinolones (Cipro, others) are antibiotics used in a wide range of medical procedures, and have recently been associated with an increased risk for retinal detachment. The authors of the study comment: “Despite numerous case reports of ocular toxicity, a pharmacoepidemiological study of their ocular safety, particularly retinal detachment, has not been performed.”
To gather data, Etminan et al. (2012) examined “a cohort of patients in British Columbia, Canada, who had visited an ophthalmologist between January 2000 and December 2007” and defined “retinal detachment cases” were defined as patients who had “retinal repair surgery within 14 days of a physician service.”
Here is what their research showed:
“Current use of fluoroquinolones was associated with a higher risk of developing a retinal detachment (3.3% of cases vs 0.6% of controls; adjusted rate ratio [ARR], 4.50 [95% CI, 3.56-5.70]).”
What this means is that Cipro use makes one 4.5 times as likely to experience retinal detachment than if one used another class of antibiotic drugs. (“ARR” stands for “Adjusted Risk Rate.)
Another way the Etminan et al. (2012) data can be understood is as such: The general population experiences retinal detachment at a rate of 0.6%, while people who use Cipro experience retinal detachment at a rate of 3.3%.
Due to the fact that the manufacturer of Cipro failed to make physicians and patients aware of the association between Cipro and retinal detachment, a number of Cipro lawsuits are currently being filed.
If you or a loved one used Cipro and experienced retinal detachment, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation for injuries caused by no fault of your own. For more information, or for a free, no-obligation case consultation, please do not hesitate to contact our team of Cipro lawyers at the information provided below. We have the experience, resources, and skills required to win the justice you deserve.
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