Interferon-induced retinopathy in asymptomatic cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
Interferon-induced ocular complications, including retinal ischemia and ischemic optic neuropathy, can be associated with significant visual loss. We report three cases of asymptomatic ischemic retinopathy in cancer patients receiving interferon.


METHODS
Retrospective, interventional, noncomparative small case series.


METHODS
Retrospective review of the medical records and fundus photographs.


RESULTS
Interferon-induced ischemic retinopathy can occur in asymptomatic cancer patients. The retinal changes are usually reversible with discontinuation of interferon therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
These three cases underscore the importance of dilated funduscopic examination at baseline and during follow-up, at least every 3 months, for all cancer patients receiving interferon to identify retinal toxicity at its earliest stages. A prospective study evaluating the incidence and severity of interferon retinopathy in cancer patients would be prudent.
Esmaeli
B
B
Ophthalmology Section, Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas, USA.
Koller
C
C
Papadopoulos
N
N
Romaguera
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007511:Ischemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000188:drug therapy; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007372:Interferons