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Scientific correspondence
Retinopathy in chronic hepatitis C patients during interferon treatment with ribavirin
  1. K Jaina,
  2. W C Lama,
  3. S Waheeba,
  4. Q Thaib,
  5. J Heathcoteb
  1. aDepartment of Ophthalmology, University Health Network, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, bDepartment of Medicine
  1. Dr W C Lam, University Health Network, Toronto Western Hospital, Edith Cavell Wing, 6th floor, Department of Ophthalmology, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario M5T 2S8, Canada waiching.km{at}utoronto.ca

Abstract

AIM To assess the ocular effect of interferon alfa 2b prescribed with ribavirin in patients undergoing therapy for chronic hepatitis C.

METHODS 19 patients with chronic hepatitis C who satisfied the follow up criteria were assessed for ocular complications using slit lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy before, during, and after the treatment at regular intervals.

RESULTS 8/19 patients, while on treatment, developed an asymptomatic retinopathy. Among these 3/8 were relapsers and 5/9 were non-responders to interferon monotherapy. All retinal changes faded, often while the patients continued the therapy. There was no significant association in occurrence of retinopathy with haematological and/or biochemical changes.

CONCLUSION Retinopathy was more common in interferon monotherapy non-responders than relapsers when treated with interferon alfa 2b with the addition of ribavirin. The changes were transient, disappearing while the patients were still being treated.

  • ribavirin
  • interferon
  • retinopathy
  • hepatitis C

https://doi.org/10.1136/bjo.85.10.1171

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