Ocular myasthenic syndrome after interferon therapy for chronic hepatitis

Abstract A 68-year-old woman suffering from chronic hepatitis complained of vertical diplopia after long-term administration of alpha-II-inter-feron (IFN). Ocular symptoms worsened and left ptosis appeared during IFN treatment, but disappeared after IFN therapy was discontinued. Thorough serological and neuro-ophthalmological diagnostic examinations failed to disclose any reasons for these ocular symptoms. Fatigable lid ptosis, negative results of diagnostic examinations for ocular myasthenia, and the clinical course suggest that this patient developed an ocular myasthenic syndrome secondary to IFN.