Natural interferon therapy: Optic nerve ischemic damage?

The purpose of this study was the evaluation of retinal abnormalities durin g a treatment with natural interferon (IFN-alpha for chronic hepatitis C. R etinal hemorrhages and optic disk edema were found in a 40-year-old woman d uring IFN-alpha therapy. The disk edema and retinopathy resolved after the INF was discontinued. Although retinal abnormalities correlated with IFN th erapy have been described recently by some authors, the pathogenesis is sti ll unclear. Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy occurring in a patient treat ed with IFN is a probable complication of the therapy.