Surgery for Infectious Retinitis - When Medical Therapy Is Not Sufficient: The Moacyr E. Alvaro Pan-American Lecture 2023

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Viral retinitis composes a group of infectious ocular diseases with poor prognoses. With the advent of antivirals and HAART, the treatment of these diseases has evolved and ocular outcomes have improved. However, even with prompt medical treatment, a significant number of patients will experience complications that require surgical intervention. While there has been an abundance of research examining the medical treatment of CMV retinitis and acute retinal necrosis, the research examining surgical outcomes of complications such as retinitis-associated retinal detachment is comparatively limited. Methods Literature review. Results In this review, we discuss the current literature examining treatment of CMV retinitis and acute retinal necrosis, with a focus on surgical management of complications such as retinal detachment. Conclusions Despite significant improvements in the medical treatment of CMV retinitis and ARN over the last three decades, vision-threatening complications such as retinal detachment are relatively common and require surgical management via PPV, laser photocoagulation, and intraocular gas or silicone oil tamponade.