Chronic Herpetic Retinitis: Clinical Features and Long-Term Outcomes

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Virology
• Immunology

Background:

• Chronic uveitis can lead to poor outcomes if diagnosis is delayed.
• Atypical herpes virus infections present unique challenges in ocular inflammation management.

Observation:

• Four patients with chronic uveitis (≥5 years) were reviewed.
• Patients exhibited atrophic retinal lesions, vision loss, and progression under immunosuppressive therapy.
• Varicella zoster virus and herpes simplex virus type 2 were identified in ocular samples.

Findings:

• Uveitis was granulomatous, affecting one or both eyes.
• Immunosuppressive treatments exacerbated the condition.
• Antiherpetic therapies effectively controlled intraocular inflammation.

Implications:

• Herpes virus infections exhibit diverse clinical presentations in the eye.
• Prompt identification and treatment with antiherpetic agents are vital for managing these specific uveitis cases.