Outcomes of cytomegalovirus retinitis following the use of ganciclovir implants.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the results and complications from the use of ganciclovir implants to treat patients with HIV infection and cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis.


METHODS
The present study was a retrospective review of 87 consecutive ganciclovir implant surgeries performed in 60 patients over a 3 year period.


RESULTS
Based on the results of the present study, ganciclovir implants are an efficacious therapy for CMV retinitis but are associated with significant postoperative complications, including retinal detachment (12.0%), vitreous haemorrhage (7.2%) and cataract formation (6.0%). In this series, all implanted eyes responded to treatment and the mean time to progression was 252 days. Only a small number of patients developed second eye involvement (n = 9) or clinically significant CMV infection of other organ systems (n = 5).


CONCLUSIONS
This small retrospective study provides additional data confirming the effectiveness of ganciclovir implants and the complications from their use.
Department of Ophthalmology, St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. iritis@ozemail.com.au
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McCluskey
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Shah
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Versace
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017726:Cytomegalovirus Retinitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004343:Drug Implants; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004343:Drug Implants; D015774:Ganciclovir