Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy associated with pegylated interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis C.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION) associated with the combined therapy of pegylated interferon alpha (PEG-IFNalpha) and ribavirin.


METHODS
Case report.


RESULTS
A 57-year-old male with chronic hepatitis C, treated with PEG-IFNalpha -2b and ribavirin for 6 months, noted sudden onset of painless blurred vision in his right eye. The initial visual acuity decreased to 20/60 in the right eye. Fundoscopy of right eye revealed optic disc edema with disc hemorrhage. Visual field examination disclosed inferior altitudinal defect. Relative afferent pupillary defect with poor color vision function was also noted in the right eye. Visual evoked potential demonstrated decreased amplitude in the right eye. A marked resolution of disc edema and improvement of visual acuity to 20/20 were noted at 6 weeks follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
AION may occur in combined treatment of PEG-IFNalpha -2b and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C. Patients who are candidates for this treatment should be informed about its possible occurrence.
Wei
Yi-Hsuan
YH
Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Wang
I-Hua
IH
Woung
Lin-Chung
LC
Jou
Jieh-Ren
JR
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018917:Optic Neuropathy, Ischemic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D010211:Papilledema / Q000139:chemically induced; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000009:adverse effects; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects; D014794:Visual Fields
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b