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Local therapy for cytomegalovirus retinopathy
1UCLA Ocular Inflammatory Disease Center, Jules Stein Eye Institute, 90095-7003, USA.
American Journal of Ophthalmology
|September 1, 1995
Summary
Local therapies effectively treat cytomegalovirus retinopathy by delivering drugs directly to the eye. While offering advantages like reduced systemic toxicity, potential risks such as endophthalmitis require careful consideration.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Virology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinopathy is a significant cause of vision loss in immunocompromised individuals.
- Traditional treatment involves systemic antiviral medications, which can have considerable side effects and require intravenous administration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of local therapies for cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinopathy.
- To inform the design of treatment regimens and criteria for assessing future local therapy outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive review of published literature on local therapies for CMV retinopathy was conducted.
Main Results:
- Intraocular ganciclovir injections, foscarnet injections, and sustained-release ganciclovir implants effectively control CMV retinopathy lesions.
- Local therapies offer benefits including convenience, lower cost, and reduced systemic toxicity.
- Potential risks include endophthalmitis, increased retinal detachment rates, and contralateral eye involvement.
Conclusions:
- Local therapies are effective for CMV retinopathy, with potential for longer disease control than systemic treatments.
- Indications include intolerance or lack of access to systemic therapy, and as an adjunct to systemic treatment.
- The role of local therapy as initial monotherapy remains debated; its combination with oral antivirals shows promise.