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Br J Ophthalmol 2007;91:1250-1251 doi:10.1136/bjo.2006.112532
  • Letter

Symptomatic interferon retinopathy successfully treated by hypertension management

  1. C Han1,
  2. J O’Day2
  1. 1
    St Vincent’s Hospital, Fitzroy, Australia
  2. 2
    Department of Neuro-opthalmology, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
  1. Dr C Han, Department of Surgery, St Vincent’s Hospital, 41 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, Melbourne, Australia 3065; charles.han{at}svhm.org.au
  • Accepted 11 December 2006

Retinopathy is a common side effect of interferon treatment. We report a case of symptomatic retinopathy caused by interferon α in a hypertensive patient successfully treated by management of hypertension alone and without stopping interferon α. As far as we know, this is the first reported case of interferon retinopathy successfully treated by hypertension management.

Pathogenesis of interferon retinopathy is most likely related to microcirculation damage and the impairment of angiogenesis. If interferon α therapy offers significant clinical benefit but is complicated by retinopathy, by treating other sources of microcirculation injury such as hypertension or diabetes mellitus, symptomatic retinopathy may be successfully treated without ceasing interferon α treatment.

Case report

The patient is a …

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