Hepatitis C and Cataracts

[suzanne59448]

Can hep C treatment aggravate cataracts?

[Bill1954]

This is from Schering Plough’s package insert; no mention of cataracts:


Ophthalmologic disorders

Decrease or loss of vision, retinopathy including macular edema, retinal artery or vein thrombosis, retinal hemorrhages and cotton wool spots, optic neuritis, and papilledema may be induced or aggravated by treatment with peg-intron alpha 2b or other alpha interferons. All patients should receive an eye examination at baseline. Patients with preexisting disorders (e.g. diabetic or hypertensive retinopathy) should receive periodic ophthalmologic exams during interferon alpha treatment. Any patient who develops ocular symptoms should receive a prompt and complete eye examination. Pegintron alpha 2b should be discontinued in patients who develop new or worsening ophthalmologic disorders.  

www.spfiles.com/pipeg-intron.pdf

Bill

[Andiamo1]

Interferon can cause retinal hemorrhages, but I only have my own anecdotal experience with cataracts.  I had no cataracts before tx.  One year after treatment, I needed cataract surgery.

[sunqueen]

The doctor found that I had an itty bitty cataract when I did my pre-tx baseline eye exam. At EOT it had grown big enough for surgery. I had a trillion shots of steroids in the year before tx, so who knows.

[GoofyDad]

I don't know about problems with Cataracts, but I had a Lincoln that wouldn't start when it rained. It was either the humidity or the Hepc - never figured that one out.    

[medicmommy]

Hi Suzanne,
I know the tx can cause retinal damage -which would make cataracts seem to worsen...I've never heard or read of it accelerating cataract development, but all who go through the treatment are warned about risks to their eyesight...Hope this helps...~MM

[Marcia2202]

If I remember correctly, there is a possibility it can. They usually will want to do eye testing and monitoring before and during tx.

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will soon chime in.