title: Retinopathy associated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin causing permanent visual impairment in a patient with chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: Retinopathy associated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin is a known complication of this therapy, and is typically bilateral and asymptomatic. Few patients complain of visual disturbance, and only rarely is there permanent visual impairment after the retinopathy resolves. A 65-year-old man presented with bilateral reduced visual acuity. Treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin was initiated 12 weeks prior due to chronic hepatitis virus C. On examination, multiple cotton-wool spots were noticed bilaterally, and visual field testing demonstrated decreased sensitivity. Treatment was stopped and the retinopathy was followed up for 4 months by ophthalmic examination and high-resolution optical coherence tomography. The cotton-wool spots resolved and high-resolution optical coherence tomography demonstrated restoration of normal retinal configuration. Visual acuity and visual field testing improved over 4 months, but did not return to their baseline values. This is a rare case of permanent visual impairment caused by retinopathy associated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel. elad_moi@netvision.net.il
authors: Elad
authors: E
authors: Moisseiev
authors: Dafna
authors: D
authors: Goldenberg
authors: Shimon
authors: S
authors: Kurtz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012254:Ribavirin; D007372:Interferons