IS SCREENING FOR INTERFERON RETINOPATHY IN HEPATITIS C IN EGYPT JUSTIFIED?

Authors

Sahar El-Tarshouby, Mansoura Ophthalmic Center, Faculty of medicine

Article Type

Original Study

Abstract

Egypt has the highest prevalence of hepatitis C in the world. Retinopa-thy is a well recognized side effect of interferon therapy. The aim of this study was to document the incidence of retinopathy in patients treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin for hepatitis C and to assess the need to screen for retinal complications. Patients and Methods: Patients started on treatment were included in this study. The past medi­cal and ocular history, visual symp­toms and results of full ophthalmologi-cal assessment performed 2 and 4 months after starting treatment were noted. Any patient with retinal chang­es was followed up at 2 month inter­vals for 6 months. Flourescein angio-graphy and OCT were done to document and follow up of any abnor­mality when appropriate. Results: Of 25 patients 6 had evidence of retinopathy including cotton wool spots and haemorrhages. Two of these showed fine mottling of the reti­nal pigment epithelium in the foveal region of both eyes. Flourescein an-giography showed retinal pigment ep-ithelium(RPE) atrophy in both pa­tients with foveal thinning on OCT. Four cases showed resolution of the retinopathy while the patients completed their course of treatment. Conclusion: Serial dilated fundus examinations for patients on interferon therapy with ribavirin is justified.

Recommended Citation

El-Tarshouby, Sahar (2008) "IS SCREENING FOR INTERFERON RETINOPATHY IN HEPATITIS C IN EGYPT JUSTIFIED?," Mansoura Medical Journal: Vol. 37 : Iss. 1 , Article 7.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.21608/mjmu.2008.129186

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