Pegylated-interferon-associated retinopathy in chronic hepatitis patients.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the clinical features of pegylated-interferon (PEG-IFN)-associated retinopathy in chronic hepatitis patients.


METHODS
We examined a consecutive case series of 46 patients who were treated with PEG-IFN for chronic hepatitis C or B between October 2007 and September 2008. All patients underwent regular ophthalmologic examinations every 3 weeks during the 6 months after treatment.


RESULTS
Ten of the 46 patients (21.73%) developed retinal abnormalities. PEG-IFN-associated retinopathy occurred a mean of 7.25 +/- 10.28 weeks after treatment and manifested itself as cotton wool spots and retinal hemorrhages. All patients, except for 1 with a retinal vein occlusion, recovered without cessation of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
PEG-IFN-associated retinopathy in chronic hepatitis patients was reversible, and patients recovered without visual complications; however, 1 patient did present with an irreversible visual impairment. This type of retinopathy is usually asymptomatic, and clinicians should closely observe patients for 3 months after treatment.
Lim
Ji Won
JW
Department of Ophthalmology, Chunchon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University, Chunchon, Republic of Korea.
Shin
Min-Cheol
MC
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006521:Hepatitis, Chronic / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D007372:Interferons