OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of the ganciclovir implant in the treatment of recurrent cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis. METHODS: Patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and recurrent CMV retinitis were evaluated for entry into the study. A ganciclovir implant was inserted in 91 eyes of 70 patients between October 1992 and October 1995. The efficacy of the implant and visual results were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Fifty-three (76%) of 70 eyes had inactive CMV retinitis 1 month postoperatively (positive initial response). Twenty-one eyes of 19 patients had less than 1 month of follow-up. Nineteen (36%) of 53 eyes developed recurrent CMV retinitis. The median time to recurrence for those patients with a positive initial response was 7 months. Forty-eight (84%) of 57 patients with follow-up longer than 1 month after implant insertion in the first eye received systemic anti-CMV medication during the study. The cumulative risk for developing a retinal detachment was 23% at 6 months following implant insertion. Other complications included vitreous hemorrhage, hyphema, and suprachoroidal implantation of the device. CONCLUSION: The ganciclovir implant is effective as an adjunct to continued systemic therapy in those patients with recurrent CMV retinitis.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of the ganciclovir implant in the treatment of recurrent cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis. METHODS:Patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and recurrent CMV retinitis were evaluated for entry into the study. A ganciclovir implant was inserted in 91 eyes of 70 patients between October 1992 and October 1995. The efficacy of the implant and visual results were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Fifty-three (76%) of 70 eyes had inactive CMV retinitis 1 month postoperatively (positive initial response). Twenty-one eyes of 19 patients had less than 1 month of follow-up. Nineteen (36%) of 53 eyes developed recurrent CMV retinitis. The median time to recurrence for those patients with a positive initial response was 7 months. Forty-eight (84%) of 57 patients with follow-up longer than 1 month after implant insertion in the first eye received systemic anti-CMV medication during the study. The cumulative risk for developing a retinal detachment was 23% at 6 months following implant insertion. Other complications included vitreous hemorrhage, hyphema, and suprachoroidal implantation of the device. CONCLUSION: The ganciclovir implant is effective as an adjunct to continued systemic therapy in those patients with recurrent CMV retinitis.
Authors: S Kunimatsu; Y Fujino; Y Nagata; K Ono; M Mochizuki; J Numaga; H Kawashima; M Araie Journal: Br J Ophthalmol Date: 2002-08 Impact factor: 4.638