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01-03-2016 | Review

Retinopathy during interferon-β treatment for multiple sclerosis: case report and review of the literature

Authors: Lorenzo Gaetani, Paola S. Menduno, Francesco Cometa, Maria Di Gregorio, Paola Sarchielli, Carlo Cagini, Paolo Calabresi, Massimiliano Di Filippo

Published in: Journal of Neurology | Issue 3/2016

Abstract

The onset of new visual symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis is often associated with a neuro-ophthalmologic manifestation of the disease. However, other possible differential diagnoses need to be ruled out, including drug-induced retinal side effects. Although uncommon, retinal side effects of interferon-beta formulations may occur, and need to be promptly recognized and treated by neurologists. In this manuscript, we report the case of a 37-year-old woman affected by multiple sclerosis diagnosed with interferon beta-associated retinopathy and we review the literature with regard to the epidemiology, clinical presentation, management and follow-up of interferon beta-associated retinopathy. Interferon-beta induced retinopathy seems to be an uncommon and a dose-related side effect in multiple sclerosis patients. Retinopathy tends to completely resolve after treatment discontinuation. Neurologists must be aware that immune-modulatory drugs, in particular interferon beta, have been reported to cause retinal side effects. In multiple sclerosis patients complaining of new visual symptoms during interferon-beta treatment, it is thus advisable to perform an ophthalmological assessment to rule out and properly manage retinopathy.

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Title: Retinopathy during interferon-β treatment for multiple sclerosis: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Lorenzo Gaetani
Paola S. Menduno
Francesco Cometa
Maria Di Gregorio
Paola Sarchielli
Carlo Cagini
Paolo Calabresi
Massimiliano Di Filippo
Publication date: 01-03-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Journal of Neurology / Issue 3/2016
Print ISSN: 0340-5354
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1459
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-015-7879-0

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Retinopathy during interferon-β treatment for multiple sclerosis: case report and review of the literature

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