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. 2001 Oct;85(10):1171–1173. doi: 10.1136/bjo.85.10.1171

Retinopathy in chronic hepatitis C patients during interferon treatment with ribavirin

K Jain 1, W Lam 1, S Waheeb 1, Q Thai 1, J Heathcote 1
PMCID: PMC1723748  PMID: 11567959

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.



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Selected References

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