Effect of long-term interferon-α administration on the mouse retina

We studied the pathogenesis of interferon (IFN) retinopathy by long- term administration of IFN-α to mice that were naive, mice with diabetes, and mice with urethane-induced retinopathy. The dosage per weight and duration of IFN-α corresponded to those used to treat chronic hepatitis C. Administration of IFN-α promoted occlusion of the retinal vascular bed in mice with urethane-induced retinopathy but did not affect the retinas of naive or diabetic mice. These results suggest that an unhealthy retina is a prerequisite to the development of occlusion of retinal vessels with IFN-α.