Treatment of Acute Retinal Necrosis with Intravenous Acyclovir

Kim, Tae Hoon; Kwon, Oh Woong; Kim, Hong Bok; Chun, Young Chul

Abstract

The Acute Retinal Necrosis(ARN) is characterized by necrotizing retinitis, uveit is and retinal vasculitis occurring in otherwise healthy patients. The cause of this disorder is thought to be herpes group virus. The ARN typically presents with the incidious onset of diffuse uveitis, followed by acute retinal whitening, vasculitis, leading to severe destruction of the retinal architecture, frequent retinal detachment and consequent loss of visual function. We experienced 4 cases of ARN in otherwise healthy patients. We treated 4 cases of ARN with intravenous acyclovir(1500mg/M2/day) and oral prednisone. Among 4 cases, one case retained relatively good visual acuity(20/70), 3 cases remained light perception and 2 cases developed retinal detachment. No patient developed new retinal lesion in the fellow eye and there was no evident ocular or systemic side effect from this tyerapy. Intravenous acyclovir and oral prednisone for the treatment of early stage of ARN is not dramatic in effectiveness but seemed to be the treatment of choice at present time.