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. 2012:6:1341-5.
doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S32469. Epub 2012 Aug 20.

Retinopathy associated with interferon therapy in patients with hepatitis C virus

Mahmoud Abd El-Badie Mohamed  1 , Khaled Abd-El Azeem Eed
Affiliations

Retinopathy associated with interferon therapy in patients with hepatitis C virus

Mahmoud Abd El-Badie Mohamed et al. Clin Ophthalmol. 2012.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate retinopathy associated with interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Methods: One hundred patients with chronic hepatitis C undergoing interferon therapy were examined for the presence of cotton wool spots, retinal hemorrhages, cystoid macular edema, capillary non-perfusion, and arteriolar occlusion. Complete ophthalmological examination including indirect ophthalmoscopic fundus examination was carried out for all patients and colored fundus photography and fluorescein angiography were carried out for the patients with positive fundus findings. The follow-up period was 9 months.

Results: Sixteen percent of patients developed retinopathy in the form of cotton wool spots, retinal hemorrhages, cystoid macular edema, and capillary non-perfusion.

Conclusion: Interferon therapy can lead to retinopathy which is mostly reversible and dose related. Periodic fundoscopic examinations help in early detection and prevent progression to permanent visual loss.

Keywords: complications; hepatitis C; interferon; retinopathy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Pie graph represents the type and percentage or retinopathy in patients included in the study.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Cotton wool exudate and retinal hemorrhage after 12 weeks of treatment.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The only case with cystoid macular in the study.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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