Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is a serious eye disease that is most usually seen in persons with suppressed immune systems. CMV is most often seen in males with HIV, but also occurs in people with a variety of immunosuppressed illnesses. The suppression of the immune system may be caused by chemotherapy as well.

Cytomegalovirus occurs naturally in everyone and is related to the herpes virus. In people with normal immune system functions, the cytomegalovirus is prevented from causing sickness. Once the immune system is suppressed, however, the chance for illness related to the cytomegalovirus is heightened and should be watched for by your doctor.

Cytomegalovirus retinitis does not always present obvious symptoms, especially at onset. People who have, or are at risk for having, suppressed immune systems should be on the lookout for any potential symptoms of CMV retinitis. People with suppressed immune systems should tell their doctors if they have floaters in their eye, excessive flashing of lights, blind spots, blurry vision, or any other visual impairment that is abnormal or new.

The whites of the eye and the general physical characteristics of the eye remain unaffected by Cytomegalovirus retinitis.

Cytomegalovirus retinitis infections can spread to other organs as well. In the retina the virus is spread from cell to cell. Left untreated in the immunosuppressed, cytomegalovirus retinitis can eventually lead to a vision decrease or even blindness. The progression of the disease generally takes weeks to months, but can either increase or decrease depending on the person. Once the entire retina is affected, macular (optic) nerves can become seriously diseased. This nerve disease eventually results in vision loss or blindness.

Cytomegalovirus retinitis is often difficult to initially diagnose. A complete eye exam by an experienced eye surgeon is the obvious first step if CMV is suspected. One important step is to differentiate the symptoms of cytomegalovirus retinitis from other diseases that may cause similar problems.

Treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis usually depends on the person affected and can involve prescription pills, intravenous medication, eye injections, or even an implant. Some implants into the eye, such as the ganciclovir implant, can actually gradually release medicine into the interior affected areas. Usually these implants are favored over other types of treatments because they have such a long lasting effect.

In all cases of cytomegalovirus retinitis only an experienced eye surgeon should make a diagnosis and course of treatment.