The purpose of this study was the evaluation of retinal abnormalities during a treatment with natural interferon (IFN-α for chronic hepatitis C. Retinal hemorrhages and optic disk edema were found in a 40-year-old woman during IFN-α therapy. The disk edema and retinopathy resolved after the INF was discontinued. Although retinal abnormalities correlated with IFN therapy have been described recently by some authors, the pathogenesis is still unclear. Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy occurring in a patient treated with IFN is a probable complication of the therapy.

Keywords:
Optic nerve, Interferon, Disk edema, Hepatitis C
1.
Okanoue T, Sakamoto S, Itoh Y, Minami M, Yasui K, Sakamoto M, Nishioji K, Katagishi T, Nakagawa Y, Tada H, Sawa Y, Mizuno M, Kagawa K, Kashima K: Side effects of highdose interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis C. J Hepatol 1996;25/3:283–291.
2.
Guyer DR, Tiedeman J, Yannuzzi LA, Slakter JS, Parke D, Kelley J, Tang RA, Marmor M, Abrams G, Miller JW: Interferon-associated retinopathy. Arch Ophthalmol 1993;111:350–356.
3.
Kawano T, Shigehira M, Uto H, Nakama T, Kato J, Hayashi K, Maruyama T, Kuribayashi T, Chuman T, Futami T, Tsubouchi H: Retinal complications during interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis C. Am J Gastroenterol 1996;91:309–313.
4.
Desmet VJ, Gerber M, Hoofnagle JH, Manns M, Scheuer PJ: Classification of chronic hepatitis: Diagnosis, grading and staging. Hepatology 1994;19:1513–1520.
5.
Chuman T, Nao-i N, Sawada A, Kawano T, Shigehira M: Interferon-induced retinal changes. Nippon Ganka Gakkai Zasshi 1994;98:616–621.
6.
Sugano S, Yanagimoto M, Suzuki T, Sato M, Onmura H, Aizawa H, Makino H: Retinal complications with elevated circulating plasma C5a associated with interferon-alpha therapy for chronic active hepatitis C. Am J Gastroenterol 1994;89:2054–2056.
7.
Hirokazu Ni, Yuichiro O, Kazuaki M, Waoko H, Murno H, Yoshihito H: Prednisolone, platelet-activating factor receptor antagonist, or superoxide dismutase reduced leukocyte antagonist, or superoxide dismutase reduced leukocyte entrapment induced by interferon alpha in retinal microcirculation. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1997;38:811–816.
8.
Hayreh SS, Zimmerman B, Podhajsky P, Alward WI: Nocturnal arterial hypotension and its role in optic nerve head and ocular ischemic disorders. Am J Ophthalmol 1994;117:603–624.
1999
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.