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Retinopathy: an overlooked adverse effect of interferon-beta treatment of multiple sclerosis

Masayuki Ohira1, Daisuke Ito, Toshihiko Shimizu

  • 1Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan.

The Keio Journal of Medicine
|April 29, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Interferon (IFN) therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) can cause retinopathy, an adverse effect. While uncommon, neurologists should monitor patients, especially those with diabetes, for this visual complication.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Neurology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Interferon (IFN) is a common therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS).
  • IFN therapy is associated with various adverse effects.
  • Retinopathy is a potential, though often overlooked, adverse effect of IFN therapy.

Observation:

  • A case study details a patient with MS and diabetes mellitus who developed IFN-associated retinopathy.
  • The patient experienced sudden visual field defects and retinal cotton wool spots.
  • Symptoms resolved after discontinuing IFNbeta-1b treatment.

Findings:

  • A subsequent examination of twenty MS patients on IFNbeta-1b revealed no retinopathy.
  • Literature review identified only four other reported cases of IFN-retinopathy in MS patients.
  • IFN-retinopathy appears to be an uncommon adverse effect in MS.

Implications:

  • Neurologists should consider IFN-retinopathy as a potential adverse effect in MS patients.
  • Regular fundoscopic examinations are recommended, particularly for patients with risk factors like diabetes mellitus.
  • Increased awareness may lead to earlier diagnosis and management of IFN-retinopathy.

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