Ocular manifestations of hepatitis C virus infection.

Publication/Presentation Date

12-1-2002

Abstract

Approximately 3.6 million persons in the United States are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), a condition with both hepatic and extrahepatic sequelae. Although no pathognomonic manifestation of HCV infection in the eye has been demonstrated, associations between HCV infection and various ocular syndromes have been reported in small case series and individual patients. At this time, the ocular manifestations of HCV infections best supported by the literature include a dry eye syndrome similar to Sjögren syndrome, and ischemic retinopathy caused by either an HCV-induced vasculitis or treatment with interferon. Patients with diabetes seem to be more susceptible to interferon retinopathy and to subsequent permanent visual loss. There have been no cases of HCV transmission via corneal transplantation, suggesting that current cadaveric screening protocols are effective in preventing this route of transmission. Screening for HCV should be considered in patients with risk factors for HCV infection who suffer from unexplained ischemic retinopathy or dry eyes.

Volume

13

Issue

6

First Page

423

Last Page

427

ISSN

1040-8738

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Pediatrics

PubMedID

12441848

Department(s)

Department of Pediatrics

Document Type

Article

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