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.