Ophthalmologic findings in hepatitis C patients treated with pegylated interferon α-2b and ribavirin

Abstract

Purpose: To identify the effect of pegylated interferon α-2b and ribavirin treatment in the ocular fundus examination, visual acuity, and visual field. Methods: Prospective observational study was performed at the Hepatology Clinic of São José Regional Hospital and at the Vitreoretinal Department at the Sadalla Amin Ghanem Eye Hospital in patients with chronic hepatitis C before and during treatment with pegylated interferon α-2b together with ribavirin. Results: Six (37.5%) of 16 patients developed retinopathy during the treatment, two of which (12.5%) presented retinal hemorrhage, and four patients (6 eyes) presented cotton-wool spots (25%) that regressed during the treatment. One patient (6.25%) presented transient decrease in visual acuity during the treatment and recovered spontaneously without specific therapy. Conclusion: Recommended treatment methods for hepatitis C may cause transient retinopathy, commonly without any damage to visual function in most patients. Although ocular involvement is rare, follow-up with an ophthalmologist is recommended during the course of the hepatitis C medication.

Ocular side effects of antirheumatic medications: a qualitative review

“…Case reports of episcleritis are associated with interferon alpha-2b in the treatment of head and neck mucosal melanoma 106. There are also reports of non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy, neuromyelitis optica, optic neuritis, retinopathy, cystoid macular oedema, Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease, abducens palsy, oculomotor nerve palsy, glaucoma and retinal vein thrombosis reported in patients treated with interferon alpha 107–129…”

O olho na hepatite C: uma revisão

“…And as no epidemiolo gical studies have described the incidence of these pathologies, such patients should be examined and monitored, particularly in the event of complaints or adver se events (84) . Tsolakos et al suggest that patients with pre-existing retinopathy, especially patients with hypertension and diabetes, should be monitored monthly during the course of hepatitis C treatment (74,85,86) . Recommended eye examinations include visual acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and ophthalmoscopy (87) .…”