INTERFERON β-ASSOCIATED RETINOPATHY IN PATIENTS TREATED FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

Abstract

Interferon α–induced retinopathy is well established in the literature. Fundus examination in these patients typically shows cotton wool spots and retinal hemorrhages in the macula and peripapillary region.1 The management of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) often involves interferon β therapy. Although interferon β shares many similar biochemical properties with interferon α, interferon β does not typically cause retinopathy. Only one report of interferon β retinopathy exists in the English literature and a definitive causal relationship remains unclear. We report a patient treated with interferon β-1a who developed retinopathy which resolved upon cessation of the drug. ### Case report. A 48-year-old woman with relapsing-remitting MS had blurry vision in the inferonasal quadrant of her right eye. Five months earlier the patient had begun interferon β-1a 44 μg SC three times per week. The patient had no other ocular complaints and no other past medical history. On examination, the patient appeared well and her blood pressure was 114/76 mm Hg. Visual acuities were 20/20 at distance and near in each eye. Dilated fundus examination showed …