الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major healthcare problem, affecting an estimated 170 million people worldwide. Egypt’s facing threat of hepatitis C virusrepresenting the highest incidence rate in the world.
Interferons are natural chemical messengers that play animportant role in the body’s immune response to foreign pathogens, especially viruses and cancerous cells. PEGylated interferon-alpha is a recent therapy, when used with the antiviral drugribavirinis effective in treatment of hepatitis C. At least 75%of people with hepatitis C benefit from interferon treatment.
In the review of literature, interferon therapyproved to have several ocular side effects. The most common is interferon retinopathy in the form of retinal hemorrhages and cotton wool spots at the posterior pole around the disc.
This Prospective, descriptive study aimed to detect the possible risk factors of interferon retinopathy. It took place in Beni Suef university Hospital. Hundered patients were selected from Beni Suef general hospital Viral Hepatitis unit.The patients underwent full laboratory and ophthalmological examination. They underwent examination before starting treatment, at 2,4,6,12weeks and at 24 weeks of interferon therapy.
Thirty patients developed interferon related complications, only sixteen patients developed typical interferon retinopathy in the form of cotton wool spots at the posterior pole. It appeared between the 12th and 24th week. None of the patients developed retinal hemorrhages. The other seven patients developed atypical interferon related complications.