Thorax 1986;41:737-739 Editorial

Ocular toxicity from ethambutol Ethambutol is frequently used in Britain, and pre-liminary results of a recent survey (W Fox, personal communication) have shown that it was prescribed for 85 % of adults with pulmonary tuberculosis. It was given for two months or less in 50 % and for up to three months in another 21%. Dosage was 16mg/kg or less in 77 % and 25 mg/kg in only 8%. Thus most British physicians use ethambutol only for the initial phase of treatment and in the lower doses. Because ocular toxicity is known to be very unusual in these circumstances most physicians do not perform rou-tine eye examinations. This has been confirmed by a survey of 300 consultants in thoracic medicine, made by the Joint Tuberculosis Committee of the Britis