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Published on: August 7, 2015
Focal posterior pole viral retinitis
Dicle Hazirolan1, Gulten Sungur, Necati Demir
11st Ophthalmology Department, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey. dicleoncel@hotmail.com
European Journal of Ophthalmology
|May 22, 2010
Summary
Atypical viral retinitis in immunocompetent individuals, often caused by herpes simplex virus-1 or varicella zoster virus, can present as focal posterior retinitis. Prompt treatment with systemic acyclovir leads to favorable outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Virology
- Retinal Diseases
Background:
- Atypical retinitis can present diagnostic challenges.
- Viral etiologies are crucial considerations in retinitis differential diagnoses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the clinical presentation of an unusual form of viral retinitis in immunocompetent patients.
- To identify the causative viral agents and treatment outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series of 8 patients with focal posterior viral retinitis.
- Evaluation of clinical, demographic, and laboratory data, including fundus fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of vitreous samples.
Main Results:
- All patients presented with unilateral disease and deteriorating uveitis symptoms despite prior treatment.
- PCR confirmed herpes simplex virus-1 in 5 patients and varicella zoster virus in 3.
- Complete retinitis resolution was observed in all patients following systemic acyclovir therapy.
Conclusions:
- Viral etiology, specifically herpes simplex virus-1 and varicella zoster virus, should be considered in atypical retinitis cases.
- Focal posterior viral retinitis represents a milder form with a better prognosis than necrotizing retinopathies.
- Systemic acyclovir is an effective treatment for this condition.
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