Treatment of immune recovery vitritis with local steroids

AIMS: To report a series of patients requiring treatment for falling visual acuity associated with immune recovery vitritis, a recently described syndrome of a predominantly vitreous inflammatory reaction in patients with AIDS and cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis. METHODS: The medical records of all patients requiring treatment for falling visual acuity associated with immune recovery vitritis were reviewed between March 1996 and March 1998. RESULTS: Nine eyes in seven patients required treatment for falling visual acuity. All patients had inactive CMV retinitis and had received highly active antiretroviral treatment including a protease inhibitor. Vitreous inflammation developed at a mean of 5.5 months (range 1-14) after starting a protease inhibitor. The onset of inflammation correlated with a mean rise in CD4(+) lymphocyte levels of 83 x 10(6)/l (range 30-128). The visual acuity fell by a mean of 2.8 Snellen lines (range 1-4) before treatment, and rose by a mean of 1.9 Snellen lines (range 0-4) after treatment with orbital floor steroids. The mean time interval between treatment with orbital floor steroids and improvement in visual acuity was 3.5 weeks (range 1-8). Following treatment the visual acuity improved or remained stable in all nine eyes, eight eyes returning to within one line of their preinflammation Snellen visual acuity. No eyes developed reactivation or progression of CMV retinitis after treatment, and none developed any other pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Orbital floor steroids appear to be have a useful role in the treatment of persistent immune recovery vitritis where the visual acuity is compromised.     

Clear lens extraction with intraocular lens implantation during retinal detachment repair in patients with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) [correction of autoimmune deficiency syndrome] and cytomegalovirus retinitis

OBJECTIVE: To assess the outcomes of clear lens extraction with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation during repair of retinal detachment by vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Twelve eyes of 10 patients with AIDS, CMV retinitis, and retinal detachment. INTERVENTION: All patients underwent phacoemulsification with posterior chamber IOL placement at the time of vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade for repair of retinal detachment. A targeted postoperative refractive error of -5.00 diopters (D) to -3.00 D was chosen in an attempt to counteract the hyperopic effect of silicone oil. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The following factors were evaluated: postoperative visual acuity, refractive error, and intraoperative and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 7 months (range, 1-46 months). For patients without macular necrosis, median best-corrected preoperative visual acuity was 20/75 (range, 20/20-20/800), and median best postoperative visual acuity was 20/50 (range, 20/20-20/400). Median final visual acuity was 20/140 (range, 20/25 to count fingers at 1 foot). The median postoperative refractive error (spherical equivalent) was -1.00 D (range, -4.00 D to +7.88 D). Reoperation was required in 3 of 12 eyes for recurrent macular detachment (1 with silicone oil underfill; 2 with proliferative vitreoretinopathy). The macula was attached in all eyes at last follow-up. Reattachment of the peripheral retina was achieved in 10 of 12 eyes. There were no anterior segment complications. CONCLUSIONS: Clear lens extraction with IOL placement during repair of retinal detachment with silicone oil tamponade does not seem to increase complications and may improve long-term visual rehabilitation, improve retinitis management by allowing better posterior segment visualization throughout the postoperative course, and decrease overall cost and morbidity associated with cataract extraction as a second procedure.     

巨细胞病毒性视网膜炎与获得性免疫缺陷综合征

目的 探讨巨细胞病毒性视网膜炎与获得性免疫缺陷综合征的关系、临床表现及诊断、治疗。 方法 观察分析56例巨细胞病毒(cytomeglovirus,CMV)性视网膜炎合并获得性免疫缺陷综合征(acquired immunodeficiency syndrome,AIDS)患者95只眼，对其眼底、视力、T辅助细胞的细胞受体4（CD4 ＋）计数及预后进行观察随访2周～18个月。 结果 56例患者在诊断为巨细胞病毒性视网膜炎之前AIDS病程为4～26个月。95只眼56例患者中，眼底病灶表现为颗粒型者55只眼，其中46只眼位于周边部；爆发型者25只眼，均位于后极部，视网膜坏死灶致密伴斑片状出血和血管炎；颗粒型与爆发型病灶混合存在者15只眼；其中7只眼合并有视神经乳头炎；患者就诊时视力为眼前数指至0.5，病变广泛者及病变位于后极部者视力下降尤为严重。30例患者CD4 ＋细胞计数为0～30 个/μl,平均(15±9) 个/μl。患者存活时间为3～18个月。接受更昔洛韦(ganciclovir)治疗组患者视力多数提高，CD4 ＋T细胞计数明显升高，未治疗组患者92%病变呈进行性发展，视力显著下降。 结论 CMV性视网膜炎是AIDS病的主要眼部并发症，临床上以坏死性视网膜炎伴出血及血管炎为特征，目前治疗主要用更昔洛韦。 (中华眼底病杂志, 2002, 18: 89-91)     

Immune recovery vitritis and uveitis in AIDS: clinical predictors, sequelae, and treatment outcomes

PURPOSE: To determine 1) clinical predictors of an inflammatory syndrome associated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis (immune recovery vitritis or uveitis [IRV or IRU]); 2) clinical sequelae of IRV; and 3) the effect of corticosteroid treatment on visual acuity. METHODS: A cohort study from the AIDS Ocular Research Unit of the University of California, San Diego, and a case series from the Cleveland Clinic consisted of patients who had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and inactive CMV retinitis who responded to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with CD4 T-lymphocyte levels >60 cells/mm3. The cohort was followed for a median of 13.5 months following increase in CD4 count. The authors studied the occurrence of IRV, defined as symptomatic (vision decrease and/or floaters) vitritis of 1+ or greater severity associated with inactive CMV retinitis. Macular edema or epiretinal membrane formation was determined by clinical examination and fluorescein angiography. Five eyes were treated with sub-Tenon corticosteroid injections. RESULTS: In the cohort study, 19 (63%) of 30 HAART responders developed IRV (26 eyes). The clinical spectrum of inflammation included vitritis, papillitis, macular edema, and epiretinal membranes. Eyes with CMV surface area >30% of the retina were at the highest risk (relative risk = 4.5) of developing IRV (P = 0.03). During follow-up, inflammation persisted without treatment for a median of 20 weeks and 14 patients (16 eyes) developed macular changes. Treatment resulted in vision improvement without reactivation of retinitis. Histology and immunohistochemistry of associated epiretinal membranes showed evidence of chronic inflammation with a predominant T-lymphocyte cell population. In the case series, 3 (38%) of 8 HAART responders developed IRV (4 eyes). All four eyes were treated and resulted in visual acuity improvement of one line. CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic IRV or IRU develops in a significant number of patients with CMV retinitis following successful HAART. Eyes with CMV surface area >30% of the retina are at the greatest risk. Eyes with IRV respond favorably to antiinflammatory therapy without reactivation of retinitis. Immune recovery vitritis may be the result of an immunologic reaction to latent CMV antigens in the eye in which T-lymphocytes play a role.     

人类免疫缺陷病毒感染及获得性免疫缺陷综合征患者眼部病变的诊断与治疗

目的 探讨人类免疫缺陷病毒(HIV)感染及获得性免疫缺陷综合征(AIDS)患者的眼部病变特点、临床症状及治疗原则.方法 回顾性系列病例研究.回顾性分析110例(220只眼)HIV感染和AIDS患者的临床资料,包括患者视力、眼前节、眼底检查和荧光素眼底血管造影及外周血CD_4~+T淋巴细胞检测结果,其中2例(4只眼)AIDS合并巨细胞病毒(CMV)性视网膜炎患者施行了更昔洛韦玻璃体腔注药治疗.患者年龄、HIV感染时间与HIV视网膜病变及CMV性视网膜炎的相关性采用Pearson相关分析法,性别与HIV视网膜病变及CMV性视网膜炎的相关性采用Pearson ChiSquare分析法,正常眼底组、HIV视网膜病变组、CMV性视网膜炎组间CD_4~+T淋巴细胞计数比较采用多个独立样本的秩和检验.结果 患者初诊视力为无光感者5只眼,光感至0.04者10只眼,0.05～0.2者14只眼,0.3～0.7者62只眼,0.8及以上者129只眼.110例(220只眼)HIV感染和AIDS患者中,有25只眼角膜后有灰白色细小或色素性沉着物.22只眼房水闪光(+)或(++).4只眼虹膜后粘连.28只眼晶状体混浊.34只眼确诊为HIV视网膜病变,眼底表现为棉絮斑、视网膜出血及微血管瘤.32只眼确诊为AIDS合并CMV性视网膜炎,26只眼的眼底表现为沿血管分布的浓厚黄白色病损区,其上片状出血,边缘有不规则黄白色颗粒.3只眼为眼底病变晚期,表现为视网膜萎缩、视网膜血管硬化和狭窄、视神经萎缩.3只眼合并视网膜脱离.正常眼底的HIV感染者及AIDS患者CD_4~+T淋巴细胞计数中位数为100.0个/mm~3,HIV视网膜病变患者CD_4~+T淋巴细胞计数中位数为41.0个/mm~3,CMV性视网膜炎患者CD_4~+T淋巴细胞计数中位数为18.0个/mm~3.CD_4~+T淋巴细胞计数比较,正常眼底组与HIV视网膜病变组相比,差异有统计学意义(x~2=4.848,P=0.028);正常眼底组与CMV性视网膜炎组相比,差异有统计学意义(x~2=15.696,P=0.000);HIV视网膜病变组与CMV性视网膜炎组相比,差异有统计学意义(x~2=4.860,P=0.027).2例(4只眼)CMV性视网膜炎患者行更昔洛韦(400 μg)玻璃体腔注药后,视力提高,眼底病变明显消退.结论 视网膜微血管病变是HIV感染及AIDS常见的眼部并发症,CMV性视网膜炎是AIDS晚期最严重的眼部并发症.高效抗逆转录病毒治疗可重建患者的免疫功能,更昔洛韦玻璃体腔注药可有效治疗CMV性视网膜炎并挽救患者视力.     

Intraocular viral and immune pathogenesis of immune recovery uveitis in patients with healed cytomegalovirus retinitis

PURPOSE: To investigate immune and viral contributions to the pathogenesis of immune recovery uveitis (IRU), which presents as vitritis, macular edema, or formation of epiretinal membranes, and develops in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who experienced cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis before antiretroviral treatment (ART) induced immune reconstitution. METHODS: Aqueous and vitreous fluids from patients with IRU, active CMV retinitis, and control human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative, noninflamed eyes were compared for presence of cytokines IL-6, IL12, interferon gamma using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques, and CMV DNA (by polymerase chain reaction). RESULTS: IRU eyes (11 patients, 18 samples) had the highest levels of IL-12 (median 48 pg/mL), moderate levels of IL-6 (median 146 pg/mL), and low but significant interferon gamma (median 15 pg/mL), compared to controls (P < 0.01). All uveitis eyes tested (9/9) were CMV DNA negative. In contrast, active CMV retinitis eyes were CMV DNA positive, had higher levels of IL-6 (median 349 pg/mL) (25 patients, 41 samples) than both control (P = 0.0001) and uveitis eyes (P = 0.048), similar levels of interferon gamma (median 27 pg/mL) to uveitis eyes, but less IL-12 (median 0 pg/mL) than uveitis eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory IRU can be differentiated from active CMV retinitis by the presence of IL-12, less IL-6, and absence of detectable CMV replication.     

Visual field testing in the management of cytomegalovirus retinitis.

BACKGROUND: Sequential visual field testing is an extremely helpful adjunct to ophthalmoscopy and fundus photography in the management of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis with the antiviral agents ganciclovir or foscarnet in patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). The authors studied the visual field defects found in a series of 110 patients with AIDS and CMV retinitis. METHODS: Ophthalmoscopy and fundus photography were performed on all patients. Visual field analysis was performed with either tangent screen, Goldmann kinetic, or Humphrey automated static perimetry. RESULTS: Of 166 eyes in 110 patients with CMV retinitis, visual field defects were present initially in 92 (55%) eyes of 78 (70%) patients, and ultimately in 97 (53%) eyes of 90 patients in whom follow-up was available. Stabilization of visual field defects was indicative of controlled retinitis. CONCLUSION: Sequential visual field testing will confirm ophthalmoscopic evidence of successful antiviral treatment of CMV retinitis and will corroborate very early progression of previously controlled retinitis.     

High-dose (5000-microg) intravitreal ganciclovir combined with highly active antiretroviral therapy for cytomegalovirus retinitis in HIV-infected patients in Venezuela

PURPOSE: To describe the use of high doses of intravitreal ganciclovir combined with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for the treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. METHODS: Thirteen HIV-infected patients (18 eyes) with active CMV retinitis (83.3% in zone 1 and 38.4% resistant) participated in this prospective interventional case series. Patients were treated with high dose intravitreal ganciclovir (5.0 mg/0.1 mL once a week) in combination with HAART therapy. Intravitreal injections were discontinued once CMV retinitis healed if there was a significant increase in CD4+ count (any increase of > or 50 cells/microL to levels over 100 cells/microL sustained for at least 3 months). Mean follow-up was 15.6 months. Main outcome measures included assessment of visual acuity and retinal inflammation (CMV retinitis activity). A matched historical control group of 20 eyes (15 patients) with CMV retinitis treated with systemic ganciclovir (intravenous [induction] and oral [maintenance]) was included. RESULTS: Complete regression of the retinitis was obtained with high doses of intravitreal ganciclovir in 88.8% of eyes (two patients died during follow-up) at a mean of 4.5 weeks (2 to 8 weeks). Visual acuity improved two or more lines in 61.1% of eyes. No ganciclovir retinal toxicity was identified. Three eyes presented CMV retinitis reactivation at a mean of 25.6 days after their last injection. Complications (33.3%) included retinal detachment (RD; 3 eyes), immune recovery uveitis (IRU; 2 eyes), and endophthalmitis (1 eye). In our control group complete regression of the retinitis was obtained in 100% of eyes at a mean of 4 weeks (3 to 7 weeks). However, 12 eyes (60%) presented with CMV retinitis relapse at a mean of 29 days (21 to 32 days) after initiating oral ganciclovir (maintenance). Complications included RD (7 eyes, 35%) and IRU (3 eyes, 15%). Severe neutropenia occurred in 2 patients (13%). CONCLUSIONS: High doses of intravitreal ganciclovir (5.0 mg) once a week in combination with HAART therapy is effective to control CMV retinitis, and may be discontinued after CMV retinitis has healed if immune reconstitution with a significant increase in CD4+ count has occurred.     

Patterns of cytomegalovirus retinitis at a tertiary referral center in Turkey

Purpose

To analyze predisposing conditions in Turkish patients with CMV retinitis and to compare HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients.

Methods

We reviewed medical charts and ocular images of 41 patients with CMV retinitis diagnosed between 1996 and 2019.

Results

Eleven patients (27%) had HIV infection and 30 were immunocompromised from diverse causes. Initial visual acuity, type, zone, and extent of CMV retinitis, and response to anti-CMV treatment were not significantly different between the two groups. Vitreous haze and panretinal occlusive vasculopathy were the presenting features only in non-HIV patients, seen in 34% and 16% of eyes, respectively. Although not statistically significant, recurrent CMV retinitis was more common in non-HIV patients (17.4% vs. 4.3%/eye-year) and immune recovery uveitis was more common in HIV patients (43% vs. 26%/eye-year). Visual outcomes were similar. Final visual acuity of 1 logMAR or worse was significantly associated with the recurrence of CMV retinitis (odds ratio 9.67; p?=?0.01) and also with the occurrence of immune recovery uveitis (odds ratio 4.31; p?=?0.058).

Conclusions

Diverse immunocompromising conditions are more commonly associated with CMV retinitis than HIV infection in Turkish patients. Intraocular inflammation was more commonly associated with active retinitis in non-HIV patients and immune recovery uveitis was more common in HIV patients.

     

Ischemic maculopathy in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

PURPOSE: To describe the characteristics of ischemic maculopathy in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, as a means of understanding this uncommon disorder more fully. METHODS: This is a multicenter, retrospective review of clinical data available for five HIV-infected patients who were given the diagnosis of ischemic maculopathy. RESULTS: All cases had been diagnosed on the basis of fluorescein angiograms obtained after patients complained of vision loss. Four of the five patients had bilateral macular disease. Visual acuity at presentation in the nine affected eyes ranged from 20/20 to count fingers. Vision loss was gradual in both eyes of one patient and was abrupt in onset in seven eyes. Each of the seven eyes with abrupt vision loss had opacification of the superficial retina and/or intraretinal hemorrhages near the fovea. Fluorescein angiography revealed enlargement of the foveal avascular zone and mild staining of the juxtafoveal vessels in affected eyes. Six eyes had active or clinically inactive cytomegalovirus retinitis at presentation, and a seventh eye developed cytomegalovirus retinitis 2 weeks later. All patients were receiving anticytomegalovirus drugs when they developed visual symptoms. Visual acuity remained stable in five eyes, became worse in two eyes, and improved in two eyes; final visual acuity ranged from 20/25 to count fingers. CONCLUSIONS: Ischemic maculopathy may cause profound and permanent vision loss in HIV-infected individuals. Fluorescein angiography should be considered in all HIV-infected patients with unexplained loss of vision. The pathogenesis of ischemic maculopathy remains unknown.     

BAY 38-4766治疗巨细胞病毒性视网膜炎的疗效评价

背景目前对巨细胞病毒（CMV）性视网膜炎药物治疗的研究主要聚焦于它作为获得性免疫缺陷综合征（AIDS）患者的主要眼部并发症,对于其眼部病变治疗药物的筛选尚未得到较多的关注。目的探讨AIDS眼部并发症CMV性视网膜炎首次采用BAY 38-4766药物治疗的效果。方法纳入CMV性视网膜炎患者84例154眼,在诊断为CMV性视网膜炎之前AIDS病程为4—26个月。患者就诊时154眼视力为数指／眼前～0．4,CD4^＋T细胞计数为0～30个／μl,平均为（15±9）个／μl。62例117眼患者行BAY 38-4766药物治疗,静脉诱导量为5mg／kg,每日2次,连续2周,然后给予1g维持量口服,每日3次,随访2周-18个月,观察治疗后眼底症状、视力、CD4^＋T细胞计数变化及预后。本研究经解放军第四七四医院伦理委员会批准,所有患者均签署知情同意书。结果患者存活时间为3～18个月。经过BAY 38-4766治疗者62例117眼,其中53例102眼眼底视网膜坏死灶逐渐缩小,边界清晰,视力提高至0．1—0．7。57例患者CD4^＋T细胞计数较治疗前升高了12～402个／μl,未治疗的22例患者为0—30个／μl。病变进行性恶化并在随访期内死亡。结论CMV性视网膜炎是AIDS患者的主要眼部并发症,临床上以坏死性视网膜炎伴出血及血管炎为特征,采用BAY38-4766药物治疗是目前较有效的方法。     

Bilateral cystoid macular edema following successful treatment of AIDS-associated CMV retinitis

Background: Cystoid macular edema (CME) in AIDS patients with inactive cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is an uncommon but potentially sight-threatening complication. The pathogenesis of CME in these patients is unclear. This study tries to identify possible risk factors by analyzing the charts of five patients. Methods: Ten eyes of 5 patients that finally developed CME were followed for an average of 18 months. The initial retinal lesions, their response to antiviral treatment, the development of CME, and the patients' immune status were prospectively monitored. Results: CMV retinitis was diagnosed at a median CD4+ count of 3 cells/mm³ (range 0–11). All eyes responded to the initial systemic anti-viral treatment. At the onset of CME, CMV retinitis was controlled by antiviral maintenance therapy in all patients [ganciclovir (n = 2), cidofovir (n = 2), foscarnet (n = 1)]. The median time between diagnosis of CMV retinitis and onset of CME was 11.5 months (range 5–24). Development of CME was associated with significant visual loss: acuity ranged from 0.05 to 0.7 when CME was first noticed, compared to 0.8–1.25 at diagnosis of CMV retinitis. Duration of inflammation, size or zone of retinal necrosis did not favor the development of CME, neither did the antiviral therapy. A weak correlation of CME development and immune status (expressed as increase of CD4+ cells) was found. Due to systemic corticosteroids CME resolved. Conclusions: CME is a new visual threat to AIDS-patients with CMV retinitis whose immune status improved under the latest combined antiretroviral therapy. Therapy with oral corticosteroids may positively influence this condition.      

Treatment of recurrent cytomegalovirus retinitis with the ganciclovir implant

PURPOSE: To evaluate preoperative characteristics and outcome of the treatment of recurrent cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis with the ganciclovir implant. METHODS: Records of 54 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and active, previously treated CMV retinitis who received a ganciclovir implant in one (n = 31) or both (n = 23) eyes were reviewed. Entry criteria included prior insertion and removal of an indwelling catheter or failure to respond to tolerated doses of ganciclovir and foscarnet. Preoperative factors that might correlate with outcome were analyzed, including demographic factors, duration of human immunodeficiency virus disease and CMV retinitis, indications for surgery, prior anti-CMV treatment, and extent of retinitis. RESULTS: Forty-six patients completed 1 month of follow-up and were analyzed for outcome. Thirty-one (67.4%) had inactive retinitis at 1 month vs 15 (32.6%) with active retinitis, and they received a mean of 23.5 +/- 22.9 weeks of preoperative ganciclovir vs 58.0 +/- 52.0 weeks in patients with active retinitis (P = .003). Involvement of more than 25% of retinal area by CMV retinitis was also correlated with activity at 1 month (P < .001). Patients who received implants because of lack of venous access had a median time to progression of 8.0 +/- 3.0 months vs 2.0 +/- 1.2 months for patients who had inadequate response or intolerance to intravenous medication (P = .073). Patients with 6 months or less vs more than 6 months of preoperative ganciclovir treatment had progression at a median time of 8.0 +/- 1.7 months vs 2.0 +/- 0.3 months, respectively (P = .016). CONCLUSION: Longer duration of preoperative ganciclovir or larger area of CMV retinitis correlates with lower success of ganciclovir implant therapy for recurrent retinitis.     

Enlargement of atrophy and visual acuity loss in the geographic atrophy form of age-related macular degeneration.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the progression of geographic atrophy (GA) from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with respect to visual acuity (VA) loss and enlargement of atrophy. DESIGN: A prospectively observed case series. SETTING: Tertiary retinal referral center. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred twenty-three patients with GA due to AMD who completed at least 1 year of follow-up (median follow-up, 3 years) were examined annually. METHODS: At each examination, a protocol best-corrected VA of each eye was measured, a clinical examination was performed, and color fundus photographs were taken. The areas of atrophy were drawn and measured. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual acuity loss and enlargement of total and central atrophy. RESULTS: At baseline, median VA was poorer with larger areas of atrophy, but there was wide variation related to sparing of the fovea. Thirty-one percent of all study eyes suffered a three-line VA loss from baseline by 2 years, and 53% had a three-line loss by 4 years. Those eyes with VA better than 20/50 had the highest rate of acuity loss; 27% of these eyes had acuities of 20/200 or worse at 4 years. Visual acuity loss in the GA study eye was similar in patients with bilateral GA and in those with choroidal neovascularization in the fellow eye. Total atrophy enlarged a median of 1.8 Macular Photocoagulation Study disc areas (DA) at 2 years; atrophy within a 4-DA circle centered on the fovea enlarged a median of 0.9 DA. Two (22%) of nine patients with GA in one eye and only drusen without advanced AMD in the fellow eye developed GA in the fellow eye at 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Geographic atrophy is associated with a significant decline in VA over time in many eyes. Areas of atrophy continue to enlarge over time, even when already large at baseline. The combination of reduced VA with enlargement of atrophy, occurring bilaterally in most patients, can lead to significant impairment of visual function.     

Prophylactic perifoveal laser treatment of soft drusen

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and safety of perifoveal laser to cause drusen to resorb, and establish a treatment protocol.
Methods: Treatment technique was determined by the outcome in one patient with 15-year follow-up. In an uncontrolled series a perifoveal ring of gentle laser was applied to 30 eyes of 28 patients, 18 with bilateral drusen and 10 with exudative disease in the fellow eye. Comparison was made between treated and untreated eyes in 14 patients with bilateral drusen. Mean follow-up was 16.8 months (range, three to 42 months).
Results: Soft drusen resorbed in all treated eyes in the vicinity of laser and within the fovea. Large soft confluent drusen (>500 μm) responded most rapidly. Visual acuity improved one or more lines in 12 (40%) treated eyes, was unchanged in 16 (53%) and deteriorated in two (7%). In 14 patients with bilateral drusen in whom only one eye was treated, VA remained unchanged in 10 eyes and improved in four treated eyes while none of the untreated eyes improved (P= 0.03, χ²) and decreased in four eyes. Atrophic expansion of laser burns was minimal. CNV developed in two of 30 eyes (7%).
Conclusion: Perifoveal laser treatment appears to expedite the regression of soft drusen within the fovea. The risks of complications may be reduced by treating eyes early, before pigment changes develop and by applying a minimum number of burns at a distance greater than 750 μ m from the foveal centre. Treatment should currently be administered only in the context of a prospective clinical trial, which is required to assess whether this treatment results in lowered risk of visual loss from CNV or geographic atrophy.     

Immune recovery uveitis in AIDS patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy in Venezuela

PURPOSE: To determine the characteristics of immune recovery uveitis (IRU) in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients with inactive cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis who responded to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in a Venezuelan population. METHODS: We examined 34 patients (50 eyes) with AIDS (HAART responders) and healed CMV retinitis. Patients were observed for a median of 19.3 months following an increase in the CD4 cell count. Ten eyes were treated with sub-Tenon space corticosteroid injections. An age-matched control group of patients with healed CMV retinitis who did not have IRU (30 eyes of 20 patients) was included to compare CMV surface area and complications. RESULTS: We found that 12 (37.5%) of 32 HAART responders developed IRU (18 eyes). The clinical findings of these 18 eyes with IRU are presented. The clinical spectrum of inflammation included vitritis, macular edema, epiretinal membranes, anterior uveitis, macular hole, retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy, and cataract. Eyes with IRU had a mean CMV surface area of 31.7%. However, eyes without IRU (control group) had a mean CMV surface area of 35% (P = 0.41). Periocular treatment resulted in vision improvement (in 90% of eyes) without reactivation of retinitis. CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic IRU developed in a significant number of patients with CMV retinitis following successful HAART in a Venezuelan population. CMV surface area does not seem to be a risk factor for the development of IRU. Eyes with IRU respond favorably to antiinflammatory therapy without reactivation of retinitis.     

Retinal detachment and herpesvirus retinitis in patients with AIDS.

BACKGROUND--The prolongation of survival of patients with herpesvirus retinitis and AIDS has been associated with a rise in the incidence of retinal detachment. In such cases, however, retinal reattachment may be difficult to achieve, and postoperative visual acuity may be poor despite anatomically successful surgery. METHODS--In order to examine factors affecting the visual outcome of surgery, a retrospective review of 29 patients with retinal detachment, herpesvirus retinitis, and AIDS was performed. Retinal reattachment surgery (32 procedures) or prophylactic laser demarcation (five procedures) was performed in 28 eyes of 23 patients. RESULTS--The macula was attached in 23/28 (82%) eyes at the last outpatient visit. Best postoperative visual acuity (median 6/18, range 6/6-hand movements) was significantly greater than final postoperative acuity (median counting fingers, range 6/6-no perception of light) (Wilcoxon sign rank test, p = 0.003), and was retained for a median of 3 months (1-91 weeks) after surgery. Poor visual outcome as evidenced by submedian final visual acuity was invariably associated with persistence of macular detachment, and significantly associated with the occurrence of optic atrophy (odds ratio = 5, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION--Retinal reattachment surgery appears justified in patients with herpesvirus retinitis and AIDS, but postoperative visual deterioration may occur in association with optic atrophy.     

Surgical repair of retinal detachment secondary to cytomegalovirus retinitis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine preoperative predictors of postoperative visual acuity in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis and retinal detachment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study design was a retrospective chart review of 38 eyes in 33 patients with AIDS and CMV retinitis who had retinal reattachment surgery by pars plana vitrectomy with the use of silicone oil tamponade. Factors considered included: preoperative visual acuity, macular attachment status and CMV activity at the time of surgery, and length of time from diagnosis of retinal detachment to surgical repair. RESULTS: Retinal reattachment was achieved in 37 of 38 eyes. Mean interval from surgery to best corrected visual acuity (VA) was 9 weeks. The mean best corrected post-op VA was 20/70. Approximately half of the patients died within 7 months of the surgery. There was good correlation between preoperative VA and best attained postoperative VA (Spearman's: r = 0.5139, P = 0.001). The interval from retinal detachment to surgery, and best attained postoperative VA did not correlate (Spearman's: r = 0.2339, P=0.158). The lack of macular CMV retinitis correlated well with postoperative VA (P = 0.0066, Wilcoxon rank-sum test). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative visual acuity and macular attachment status correlates with better postoperative visual acuity results, whereas early surgical repair of retinal detachment does not.     

Treating cytomegalovirus retinitis-related retinal detachment by combining silicone oil tamponade and ganciclovir implant

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: With the efficacy of pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil infusion in treating cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis-related retinal detachment and the success of the ganciclovir implant in controlling CMV retinitis, we sought to evaluate the possible benefits of combining these two procedures in one surgical operation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of 10 patients was conducted. Each patient was diagnosed with a CMV retinitis-related retinal detachment and treated with pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil infusion, with simultaneous placement of a ganciclovir implant. Parameters evaluated included location of retinal detachment, reattachment rate, pre- and post-operative Snellen visual acuity, pre- and post-operative CMV retinitis activity and location, and complications of the combined procedure. RESULTS: Overall anatomic reattachment was achieved in all 10 patients. Four patients presented with macular involvement of their retinal detachments. Three of these patients experienced significant post-operative improvement in visual acuity. Surgery preserved visual acuity in the 6 patients who presented with macula attached. Best postoperative acuity was better than or equal to 20/100 in 7 (70%) patients. All 3 CMV retinitis patients with inactive retinitis preoperatively remained free of retinitis for the duration of follow up. At last follow up, 8/10 (80%) showed no active CMV retinitis and no patients experienced progression of their retinitis. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this series indicate that patients benefit from excellent anatomic reattachment rates, preservation or improvement of visual acuity in most cases, and extended control of their CMV retinitis. Combining the two procedures appears viable. Further study is warranted to assess definitive anatomic and functional outcomes resulting from this new technique.