title: [Interferon alpha-associated retinopathy in patients with chronic hepatitis C].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Interferons are a complex group of glycoproteins with antiviral, antiproliferative and immunomodulatory activity. They are used to treat different types of human neoplasms and chronic hepatitis C. Several case reports have described interferon-induced ocular side effects since the first case in 1990.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report about a 61-year-old female undergoing interferon 2alpha treatment who developed bilateral retinopathy during systemic therapy and provide a summary about ocular side effects and their consequences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients should be monitored by ophthalmologists before, during and after interferon therapy in order to avoid side effects like retinal neovascularisation and to prevent potential serious side effects.
authors.affiliation: Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus Virchow. st-st.st@web.de
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Pleyer
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D041441:Retinoschisis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D016898:Interferon-alpha