[Bilateral retinal microangiopathy in interferon therapy of malignant melanoma of the skin].

BACKGROUND

Interferon associated retinopathy has been described mainly by Japanese working groups as a complication of systemic interferon therapy for various diseases. In Europe, only few reports exist, especially regarding interferon therapy for dermal malignant melanoma.

PATIENT: We report a 58-year-old female patient with symptomatic, bilateral microangiopathy caused by interferon for metastatic dermal malignant melanoma. Multiple bilateral cotton wool spots caused visual field defects and unilateral decreased visual acuity. The retinal changes were reversible when stopping interferon therapy.

CONCLUSION

Interferon-associated microangiopathy occurs as a complication of interferon therapy independently of the treated systemic disease. Rarely, retinopathy becomes symptomatic as reported in this case. Symptoms were fully, clinical signs were partially reversible. A regular ophthalmologic monitoring of all patients receiving interferon therapy is recommended. Monitoring aims to detecting vision-threatening retinal changes in a reversible phase.