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Published on: January 25, 2019
Retinopathy associated with interferon therapy in patients with hepatitis C virus
Mahmoud Abd El-Badie Mohamed1, Khaled Abd-El Azeem Eed
1Ophthalmology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt.
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.
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