Delayed bilateral involvement in the acute retinal necrosis syndrome

Emerging concepts in the management of acute retinal necrosis

Acute retinal necrosis (ARN), also known as Kirisawa-type uveitis, is an uncommon condition caused by infection of the retina by one of the herpes family of viruses, most typically varicella zoster virus or herpes simplex virus and less commonly cytomegalovirus. Clinical diagnosis can be challenging and is often aided by PCR-based analysis of ocular fluids. Treatment typically involves extended use of one or more antiviral agents. Long term retinal detachment risk is high. We review the literature on ARN and present an approach to the diagnosis and management of this serious condition.

Efficacy of Oral Valacyclovir Treatment in a Case with Acute Retinal Necrosis

Acute retinal necrosis (ARN) is a rapidly progressive disease with poor prognosis, leading to visual loss in most cases. Rapid diagnosis and early anti-viral treatment significantly affect the course and prognosis of the disease. In this case report, we present a 34-year-old female patient referred to our clinic with symptoms of blurred vision and ocular pain diagnosed as acute glaucoma elsewhere. A clinical diagnosis of ARN was made and anti-viral treatment was started immediately. We herein describe our treatment approach to this particular case and discuss previously reported treatment modalities.

Infectious Uveitis

Infectious uveitis is one of the most common and visually devastating causes of uveitis in the US and worldwide. This review provides a summary of the identification, treatment, and complications associated with certain forms of viral, bacterial, fungal, helminthic, and parasitic uveitis. In particular, this article reviews the literature on identification and treatment of acute retinal necrosis due to herpes simplex virus, varicella virus, and cytomegalovirus. While no agreed-upon treatment has been identified, the characteristics of Ebola virus panuveitis is also reviewed. In addition, forms of parasitic infection such as Toxoplasmosis and Toxocariasis are summarized, as well as spirochetal uveitis. Syphilitic retinitis is reviewed given its increase in prevalence over the last decade. The importance of early identification and treatment of infectious uveitis is emphasized. Early identification can be achieved with a combination of maintaining a high suspicion, recognizing certain clinical features, utilizing multi-modal imaging, and obtaining specimens for molecular diagnostic testing.

Nécrose rétinienne aiguë : présentation clinique, modalités de prise en charge et pronostic à partir d’une série de 22 patients

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical outcome and medical management in a series of patients diagnosed with acute retinal necrosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between 1993 and 2000, 22 patients suffering from acute retinal necrosis were referred to our department. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical course, delay between diagnosis and first clinical manifestation, biological profiles, treatment and complications.

RESULTS

All patients had vitreous inflammation; retinitis was seen upon examination in 82% of the cases. Nevertheless, for six patients (27% of the cases), failure to recognize the diagnosis led to delay (mean, 5.5 days) between the first ophthalmological examination and antiviral therapy. Nineteen patients underwent laboratory evaluation, and virological diagnosis was made in 16 of them: varicella zoster virus was found in 11 cases, herpes simplex type 1 in three cases, and herpes simplex type 2 and cytomegalovirus in one case each. Nine patients were treated with a combination of aciclovir and foscarnet and 13 with aciclovir alone. Among the 16 patients who received aciclovir, one did not respond to therapy after 2 days and was cured only after foscarnet was added. Recurrence occurred at the end of treatment in only one patient. Retinal detachment complicated the course for 11 patients and was always associated with proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Among those, seven of the ten patients who accepted surgery were successfully treated. Eleven out of 22 patients had a final visual acuity up to 20/200 and two up to 20/40.

CONCLUSION

In our series, acyclovir alone was sufficient to cure the majority of cases. Even with antiviral therapy, the prognosis of acute retinal necrosis remains poor. Retinal detachment is the main complication.

Delayed fellow eye involvement in acute retinal necrosis syndrome

PURPOSE/METHOD

We studied a case of acute retinal necrosis in which a 30-year delay occurred between involvement of the first and fellow eyes. After systemic treatment with acyclovir and prednisolone, the fellow eye developed a retinal detachment requiring vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade.

RESULTS/CONCLUSION

The fellow eye retained a useful Snellen acuity of 20/120. In a patient who has had acute retinal necrosis, any symptoms or signs in the fellow eye, even several decades later, should alert the examining physician to the possibility of delayed involvement of the fellow eye.