Treatment of acute retinal necrosis

To compare outcomes from patients with acute retinal necrosis (ARN) treated in the acyclovir-only era with those treated in the era of newer antiviral therapies, identify variables affecting outcomes in ARN, and evaluate strategies for fellow eye prophylaxis.

Multicenter, nonrandomized, retrospective, interventional series.

A cohort of 58 patients diagnosed with ARN by a retina specialist at 1 of 4 referral centers between 1981 and 2008. The cohort was divided into 2 subgroups: patients treated during the acyclovir-only era (n = 36) and patients treated during the current era of newer antiviral medications (n = 22).

Intravenous, oral, or intravitreal antiviral medications, including acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir, valganciclovir, ganciclovir, and foscarnet; prophylactic laser retinopexy; aspirin; oral steroids.

Visual acuity, retinal detachment, and fellow eye involvement.

A wide range and combination of antiviral agents are currently used for initial and long-term treatment of ARN. Outcomes from the newer antivirals era were similar to those achieved during the acyclovir-only era. In both groups, the incidence of 20/200 or worse visual acuity was 24% per person-year (P = 0.91). The prevalence of retinal detachment was approximately 50% in each group (P = 0.59). No variables, including prophylactic laser retinopexy, were associated with risk of retinal detachment. Two patients (3.4%) developed ARN in the initially unaffected eye.

Current treatment trends vary widely, including single agents or combinations of oral, intravenous, and intravitreal agents. Differing strategies did not affect outcomes. The final visual acuity in ARN was generally poor. Retinal detachment was common and could neither be predicted nor prevented. Development of ARN in the unaffected fellow eye occurred rarely. Long-term oral antiviral treatment strategies varied with unclear relative efficacy.

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