Ocular complications with high-dose interferon alpha in chronic active hepatitis

Purpose Interferon alpha, which is used to treat various systemic disorders , has many reversible side-effects involving various organ systems. In this study, chronic active hepatitis patients undergoing interferon alpha thera py were followed with regard to the ocular side-effects. Methods Thirty-six patients with chronic active hepatitis undergoing subcut aneous interferon alpha therapy for 1 year were enrolled. Complete ocular e xamination and photographic documentation were performed at baseline of the therapy and monthly thereafter. Fisher's exact chi-squared test and Mann-W hitney U-test were employed in the statistical evaluation of the results. Results Trichomegaly was noted in 2 (6%) patients. Fifteen patients (42%) w ere found to have retinopathy with cotton wool spot formation and splinter haemorrhages. Conclusions These findings emphasise the need to monitor these retinal comp lications, which may result in loss of vision in patients receiving interfe ron alpha therapy.