Abstract
Background Chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus has been reported to cause a wide variety of ophthalmic lesions. The incidence and significance of these lesions in an unselected population has not been assessed.
Methods We studied a group of unselected patients with chronic hepatitis C and performed a full ophthalmic examination on each. As a control group we studied patients with chronic hepatitis B infection.
Results In 25 patients with chronic hepatitis C we found no increase in the prevalence of significant ocular disease when compared with a cohort of patients with chronic hepatitis B.
Conclusion Chronic heptatitis C does not cause any marked increase in the incidence of ocular disease.
Similar content being viewed by others
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
References
WHO. Global surveillance and control of hepatitis C. J Viral Hepatitis 1999;6:35–47.
Poynard T, Bedossa P, Opolon P . Natural history of liver fibrosis progression in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Lancet 1997;349:825–32.
Hadziyannis S . Non-hepatic manifestations of chronic HCV infection. J Viral Hepatitis 1997;4:1–17.
Daruich J, Zas M, Findor J et al.. Lacrimal dysfunction in patients with chronic HCV infection. Hepatology AASLD Abstract 1200 1995;Oct:406A.
Wilson S, Lee W, Murkami C et al.. Mooren-type hepatitis C virus-associated corneal ulceration. Ophthalmology 1994;101:736–45.
Baratz KH, Fulcher SF, Bourne WM . Hepatitis C-associated keratitis. Arch Ophthalmol 1998;116:529–30.
Disdier P, Bolla G, Veit V et al.. Association of uveitis and hepatitis C: 5 cases [letter]. Presse Med 1994;23:541.
Pirisi M, Scott C, Fabris C et al.. Mild sialoadenitis: a common finding in patients with hepatitis C virus infection. Scand J Gastroenterol 1994;29:940–2.
Scott CA, Avellini C, Desinan L . et al.Chronic lymphocytic sialoadenitis in HCV-related chronic liver disease: comparison of Sjogren's syndrome. Histopathology 1997;30:41–8.
Haddad J, Deny P, Munz-Gotheil C . et al.Lymphocytic sialoadenitis of Sjogren's syndrome associated with chronic hepatitis C virus liver disease [see comments]. Lancet 1992;339:321–3.
King P, McMurray R, Becherer P . Sjogren's syndrome without mixed cryoglobulinemia is not associated with hepatitis C virus infection. Am J Gastroenterol 1994;89:1047–50.
Pawlotsky JM, Ben Yahia M, Andre C, et alImmunological disorders in C virus chronic active hepatitis: a prospective case-control study [see comments]. Hepatology 1994;19:841–8.
McMonnies C . Key questions in a dry eye history. J Am Optom Assoc 1986;57:513–7.
McMonnies C, Ho A . Patient history in screening for dry eye conditions. J Am Optom Assoc 1987;58:297–301.
Lemp M, Hamill J Jr . Factors affecting tear film breakup in normal eyes. Arch Ophthalmol 1973;89:103–5.
van Bijsterveld O . Diagnostic tests in the sicca syndrome. Arch Ophthalmol 1969;82:10–4.
Wright J, Meger G . A review of the Schirmer test for tear production. Arch Ophthalmol 1962;67:564–5.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Leyland, M., Török, M., Acheson, J. et al. Hepatitis C virus infection is not associated with a marked increase in the prevalence of ophthalmic morbidity. Eye 14, 889–891 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.2000.243
Received:
Revised:
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.2000.243