title: Retinopathy associated with interferon therapy in patients with hepatitis C virus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate retinopathy associated with interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred patients with chronic hepatitis C undergoing interferon therapy were examined for the presence of cotton wool spots, retinal hemorrhages, cystoid macular edema, capillary non-perfusion, and arteriolar occlusion. Complete ophthalmological examination including indirect ophthalmoscopic fundus examination was carried out for all patients and colored fundus photography and fluorescein angiography were carried out for the patients with positive fundus findings. The follow-up period was 9 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixteen percent of patients developed retinopathy in the form of cotton wool spots, retinal hemorrhages, cystoid macular edema, and capillary non-perfusion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interferon therapy can lead to retinopathy which is mostly reversible and dose related. Periodic fundoscopic examinations help in early detection and prevent progression to permanent visual loss.
authors.affiliation: Ophthalmology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abd El-Badie Mohamed
authors.forename: Khaled
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abd-El Azeem Eed