Interferon alpha-2a for proliferative diabetic retinopathy after complete laser panretinal photocoagulation treatment.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of interferon alpha-2a, an angiogenesis inhibitor, on eyes with active neovascularization after complete laser panretinal photocoagulation treatment.


METHODS
Eight patients with active neovascularization persisting for 6 months or more after completion of full panretinal photocoagulation were included in the study. All patients were treated with subcutaneous injections of 6 million international units of interferon alpha-2a, 3 times a week, for an average period of 10 months. Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, blood tests, fundus photographs, fluorescein angiography, and physical examination were performed periodically. The main outcome measures were visual acuity and extent of neovascularization as assessed by fundus photography and fluorescein angiography.


RESULTS
The 5 men and 3 women (mean age, 60 years) had a mean duration of diabetes of 19 years. The average study follow-up was 42.2 +/- 8.7 weeks. Visual acuity and extent of neovascularization improved or remained stable in 7 patients. In none of the patients was there progression of neovascularization, but in 1 patient it could not be assessed due to vitreous hemorrhage. Most patients had malaise during the first weeks of treatment, but none of the patients suffered from nonreversible side effects associated with interferon alpha-2a.


CONCLUSIONS
This pilot study provides evidence that interferon alpha-2a might have a role in the regression of proliferative diabetic retinopathy and that further investigation is warranted.
Leibovitch
Igal
I
Department of Ophthalmology, Tel-Aviv Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
Loewenstein
Anat
A
Alster
Yair
Y
Rosenblatt
Irit
I
Lazar
Moshe
M
Yassur
Yuval
Y
Rubinstein
Ardon
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017075:Laser Coagulation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015861:Retinal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012449:Safety; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins