Abstract
Purpose: :
To measure mean change in visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and colour vision and record visual field, retinal & optic disc changes in patients with hepatitis C.To determine what if any aspects of visual function change over time in patients treated with pegylated interferon alpha. Do such patients require screening by an ophthalmologist?
Methods: :
Prospective case series involving 104 eyes (52 patients). Measurements were taken at baseline and at 3 & 6 months follow up. Best–corrected snellen visual acuity was measured and recorded as a log of the minimum angle of resolution, (Logmar). Contrast sensitivity was measured using Pelli Robson contrast sensitivity gratings, colour vision was measured using the City University Colour Vision Test and a Humphrey Visual Field analyser carried out automated visual field analysis.
Results: :
42 males and 10 females were examined. The mean changes in Logmar right & left visual acuity were minimal e.g. between baseline and 6 months 0.05 (sd 0.13) and 0.03 (of 0.12) respectively.
Mean changes in contrast sensitivity and colour vision were also minimal.
2 eyes developed nasal visual field defects within 3 months of starting treatment. 42 other eyes experienced no change in their visual fields over the same time period.
Of 44 eyes reviewed over the first 3 months, none developed any optic disc changes.
Conclusions: :
Routine ophthalmic screening is not indicated for patients with hepatitis C treated with Pegylated Interferon Alpha.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: treatment/prevention assessment/controlled clinical trials • retina