[Retinopathy during interferon treatment in combination with ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the retinopathy of the patients who received interferon/ribavirin for treatment of chronic hepatitis C.


METHODS
We observed 6 patients(5 males and 1 female) who received interferon/ribavirin for treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Visual acuity tests and detailed fundus examinations were performed monthly during 6 months of interferon/ribavirin therapy.


RESULTS
All patients developed soft retinal exudate and 5 developed retinal blot hemorrhage. None of the patients exhibited visual impairment or subjective symptoms during the treatment period, and the retinopathy disappeared or decreased in all patients. All of the patients in this study developed interferon retinopathy while undergoing interferon/ribavirin combination therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Because the combination of ribavirin with interferon may increase the incidence of interferon retinopathy, and cases of severe retinal complications have also been reported, careful fundus examinations should be performed during combination therapy, just as they are performed during conventional interferon therapy.
Nakamura
Toru
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Showa University Northern Yokohama Hospital. 3 5 1 Chigasakichuo, Tsuzuki-ku, Yokohama 224 8503, Japan.
Takahashi
Haruo
H
Koike
Noboru
N
Mitsutaka
Minami
M
Soda
Mitsutaka
M
Kimu
Myonsugi
M
D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin