Hepatitis C virus infection is not associated with a marked increase in the prevalence of ophthalmic morbidity

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.