Diffuse retinal dysfunction following immune reconstitution uveitis in patients with prior cytomegalovirus retinitis: a novel observation.

PURPOSE: To report continuing diffuse retinal dysfunction following resolution of immune reconstitution uveitis (IRU) in patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR).

METHODS

Retrospective case series describing two patients with IRU following CMVR who underwent serial fundus photography and macular optical coherence tomography. One patient had serial electrophysiology.

RESULTS

Both patients had CMVR successfully treated with antiviral medication. The affected eyes later developed IRU that resolved with steroids. However, following resolution, chronic retinal damage was evidenced by ellipsoid line loss in one case and gradual optic disc cupping in the other. Electrophysiology in both cases revealed generalized retinal dysfunction worse in the eye with more severe IRU and demonstrated objectively the efficacy of treatment intervention in the patient with serial recordings.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with IRU following CMV retinitis may have continuing diffuse retinal dysfunction despite apparent recovery and normal visual acuity. An aggressive approach to inflammation control may be warranted in such patients.