Unilateral retinopathy post perilesional interferon α2b injections for ocular surface squamous cell carcinoma

To describe the clinical course of a patient presenting with unilateral retinopathy after perilesional interferon alpha injections for treatment of ocular surface squamous cell carcinoma.

A patient, who was being treated with interferon alpha for ocular squamous cell carcinoma, presented with new onset decreased vision in her left eye. Upon examination, she was found to have cotton wool spots and retinal hemorrhages in the affected eye.

Retinopathy is a well-documented side effect of systemic usage of interferon alpha. However, retinopathy has not been well discussed in the scenario of perilesional injections of interferon. It is important for clinicians to monitor for such pathology when using interferon alpha not only systemically, but also locally.