Incidence of retinopathy in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with dual and triple antiviral protocols

Purpose The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of ophthalmological complications in chronic hepatitis C virus patients treated with dual versus triple antiviral protocols. Study design A Prospective, observational, comparative study. Setting Ahmed Maher Teaching Hospital and revised in the Outpatient Clinic of Ophthalmology Department of Beni Suef University. Patients and methods One hundred and fifty chronic hepatitis C virus patients were treated by dual therapy of sofosbuvir and ribavirin for 6 months (group A), and 150 patients were treated by triple therapy of sofosbuvir, ribavirin, and interferon pegylated interferon (pegINF-α) for 3 months (group B). Full general and ophthalmological examinations were done at the baseline visit before receiving treatment and at 3 and 6 months after treatment. Any ophthalmological complications including deterioration in best corrected visual acuity, anterior segment inflammation, or retinal complications in the form of hemorrhages, soft exudates, or changes in cup/disk ratio were recorded. Results In 11% of the patients under triple therapy, retinal hemorrhages and soft exudates were detected by the second visit; however, they resolved by the third visit. Patients under dual therapy showed no ophthalmological complications throughout the 6-month follow-up period. No uveitis or changes in best corrected visual acuity and cup/disk ratio were detected. Conclusion Interferon-free protocols showed no retinal complications. However, the retinal complications related to the interferon-containing protocols resolved shortly within weeks. Thus, interferon-free protocols showed higher safety on the eye.