Interferon Alpha 2a and 2b in Ophthalmology: A Review.

Interferon alpha (IFN-α) is a glycoprotein with antitumor, antiviral, and immunomodulatory activity, used widely in the treatment of viral infections (hepatitis B and C, condylomata acuminata, herpes zoster, etc.), hematological disorders (leukemia, multiple myeloma, T cell lymphoma, and essential thrombocythemia), and solid tumors (clear cell carcinoma in the metastatic stage, melanoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and cervical neoplasia). Studies have proven the effectiveness of IFN-α in the treatment of ophthalmic disorders involving the anterior segment of the eye (conjunctival papilloma, squamous neoplasia, conjunctival mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, Mooren's ulcer, and vernal keratoconjunctivitis) and the posterior segment of the eye (serpiginous choroidopathy, posterior uveitis, pseudophakic and diabetic cystoid macular edema, and proliferative diabetic retinopathy). The therapy with IFN-α remains a promising alternative in cases of a failing response to conventional therapy, helping to maintain or improve visual acuity, prevent vision loss, and ameliorate the prognosis of the patient. However, clinicians who decide to use IFN-α in their patients must be aware of general and ophthalmological side effects and inform their patients to undergo a systemic evaluation such as a physical examination, blood and serological tests, and a chest X-ray before the beginning of treatment. This review presents the current knowledge of the use of IFN-α, its efficacy, and properties in ophthalmological diseases, and thus may encourage clinicians to administer this drug as a treatment modality in ophthalmological diseases in the future.

Ocular manifestations of pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary hypertension, if left untreated, may result in increasing cardiac back pressures and lead to right heart failure and death. An increase in venous pressure in cases of pulmonary hypertension influences other organs. Ocular complications occur as a result of elevated venous pressure in the superior vena cava and in the ophthalmic veins, which cause dilation of the ocular veins, resulting in congestion of the choroid and leading to complications such as ciliary detachment, central retinal vein occlusion, acute serous retinal detachment, macular edema, retinal neovascularization, choroidal effusions, chemosis, angle-closure glaucoma, transient myopia, and proptosis. Other ophthalmic disorders are the results of side effects of treatment. Patients may present primarily to an ophthalmologist, who may diagnose these diseases. Patients with pulmonary hypertension should be taught careful self-observation of visual function, and if it deteriorates, they should immediately report this to an ophthalmologist. Before initiation of any target-oriented therapy, the patient must be informed about possible sight-threatening complications. We review ophthalmological disorders that may develop in the course of pulmonary hypertension and emphasize multidisciplinary cooperation.