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Ocular effects of combined therapy with pegylated interferon (PegINF) and ribavirin (RBV) in hepatitis C
Acta Ophthalmologica, 08/10/2012
Clinical Article
Orski M et al. – Patients treated with PegINF–RBV have a potential risk of ocular complications and require a regular ophthalmic examination. The authors suggest ocular examination and follow up protocol for patients treated with interferon–ribavarin therapy to limit potential side effects.
Methods- 18 patients (36 eyes) received combined therapy based on the presence of HCV antibodies in the serum and positive RT - PCR test results for HCV RNA.
- Patients were examined at baseline, months 1, 3, 6 after initiation and 6 months after completion of antiviral treatment.
- Primary outcome was best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and secondary outcomes were slit lamp examination, intraocular pressure, foveal thickness, and P1 Multifocal Electroretinography( mfERG) amplitude.
- 13 patients (26 eyes) completed the study.
- 2 of 13 (15%) patients had exacerbation of dry eye syndrome and 2 of 13 (15%) developed retinopathy.
- Therapy was discontinued in patients with retinopathy with remission of retinal changes after 3 months.
- No significant changes in other parameters were observed.