Therapeutic Effect of Ganciclovir on Cytomegalovirus Retinitis

ABSTRACT

Cytomegalovirus(CMV) retinitis is the most common opportunistic retinal in fection seen in patients with AIDS. It is almost always progressive and, if untreated, often leads to blindness. The authors report a case of unilateral CMV retinitis in 29-year-old female with AIDS, who complained of decreased vision in the left eye. Fundus examination showed areas of dense white retinal necrosis, scattered hemorrhages and perivascular sheathings. On urine culture CMV was also isolated. Treatment with ganciclovir was started and during the 2 mon ths of treatment, the retinitis was markedly resolved and visual acuity was improved to 0.7. CMV retinitis did not develop in the right eye.