Interferon Induced Retinopathy

Interferons are glycoproteins that have antiviral, antiproliferative, and immunomodulatory functions. They are used widely for the treatment of many conditions like Hepatitis C, cancers, and immune-mediated disorders like multiple sclerosis. Interferon was discovered by Issacs and Lindenmann in 1957 while studying the phenomenon of virus interference. The FDA approved the use of interferon-alpha-2a and alpha-2b for the treatment of hairy cell leukemia in 1986. As time progressed, the use of interferons (IFN) has expanded to include a broad spectrum of conditions. However, their use correlates with numerous adverse effects like fatigue, influenza-like syndrome, toxicities related to the central nervous system, the gastrointestinal tract, endocrine system, and cardiovascular, renal, and musculoskeletal systems. Ikebe and associates made the first report of ocular toxicity of IFN therapy in 1990 in a 39-year-old patient who developed retinal hemorrhages and cotton wool spots after receiving intravenous IFN.