الفهرس 
Uses of interferon in medicineOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Interferons belong to the large class of glycoproteins known as cytokines. They are named after their ability to ”interfere” with viral replication within the host cells. Typically they are divided among three classes which are Type I IFN, Type II IFN and Type III IFN. All of them are important for fighting viral infections. Other functions also identified as immunomodulation, antiproliferative and potent anti-tumor effect.
They are widely used in medical practice and FDA approved in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, chronic hepatitis B, multiple sclerosis, AIDS-related Kaposi’s sarcoma, condylomata acuminate and chronic granulomatous disease.
Ophthalmological uses are variable; Interferons are used succefully in Behçet’s disease uveitis and it shows an impressive effect in treatment of inflammatory macular edema . It is considered as immunmodulatory agent which is valuable in delaying the progression of patients to definite multiple sclerosis , and when they are combined with dextran they successfully target choroidal neovascularization .
Regarding the external ocular disorders, the combination of Interferon with antiviral drugs speeds up the epithelial healing in herpes simplex virus keratitis and found to be effective treatment for the HCV-associated mooren’s ulcer. A suggestive benefit for oral and ocular symptoms of primary Sjögren’s syndrome was obvious with interferon treatment.
Multiple neoplasms in ophthalmology can be now treated with interferons. The encouraging results were obvius in treatment of conjunctival papilloma, melanoma, lymphoma and conjunctival intra-epithelial neoplasm.
Both basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma which are usually treated with destructive methods can be now treated with interferons but with no tissue destruction. They are effective in treatment of primary capillary hemangioma if conjugated with cyclophosphamide.
The most frequent side effects are flu-like symptoms , injection site reaction and itching for topical use. Ocular adverse effects which are known as interferon retinopathy include cottonwool spots and retinal haemorrhages secondary to retinal ischaemia which usually appear within 3 months of the onset of therapy. Retinopathy may disappear spontaneously during therapy or rapidly after stopping therapy.