Valganciclovir therapy for immune recovery uveitis complicated by macular edema.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether treatment with valganciclovir will improve visual acuity in eyes with immune recovery uveitis complicated by macular edema.


METHODS
Prospective open label controlled Phase II drug study.


METHODS
Five patients with chronic macular edema as a result of immune recovery uveitis were studied. Baseline fluorescein angiograms, best-corrected ETDRS visions, and cytomegalovirus (CMV) lymphoproliferative T-cell function assays were obtained and repeated after three months of valganciclovir therapy (900 mg daily) and again three months after withdrawal of therapy.


RESULTS
Vision improved by a mean of 11 letters in the treatment phase (P =.05). Graded angiograms showed three patients had treatment reduction of macular edema. One patient had rebound increase in macular edema after the withdrawal phase. The CMV lymphoproliferative response was not affected by the valganciclovir.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest valganciclovir treatment may benefit visual acuity in patients with macular edema from immune recovery uveitis.
Kosobucki
Brian R
BR
UCSD Jacobs Retina Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Shiley Eye Center, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.
Goldberg
Daniel E
DE
Bessho
Kenichiro
K
Koh
Hyoung J
HJ
Rodanant
Nuttawut
N
Labree
Laurie
L
Cheng
Lingyun
L
Schrier
Rachel D
RD
Azen
Stanley P
SP
Freeman
William R
WR
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D017726:Cytomegalovirus Retinitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000502:physiology; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014605:Uveitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D000077562:Valganciclovir; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077562:Valganciclovir; D015774:Ganciclovir