Acute retinal necrosis.

Five patients with the acute stages of acute retinal necrosis underwent vitrectomy, with acyclovir in the infusion fluid, and the placement of a 360 degrees scleral buckle after intravenous therapy with acyclovir. Anatomic reattachment was achieved in all patients, and improvement over preoperative visual acuity was obtained in four. Recommendations for the treatment of acute retinal necrosis include a high index of suspicion in healthy patients with retinitis, early diagnosis, early intravenous therapy with acyclovir, early pars plana vitrectomy with the use of intravitreal acyclovir in the infusion fluid, and a 360 degrees scleral buckling procedure.