High-dose intravitreal ganciclovir and foscarnet for cytomegalovirus retinitis

PURPOSE: To describe the chronic use of high doses of intravitreal ganciclovir, in combination with foscarnet, for the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis, METHODS: A 31-year-old man with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and unilateral active cytomegalovirus retinitis was treated with escalating intravitreal injections of ganciclovir (up to 3.0 mg twice a week) in combination with foscarnet (up to 2.4 mg twice a week) over the course of approximately 1 year. RESULTS: Complete regression of the retinitis was obtained with high doses of intravitreal ganciclovir and foscarnet. Visual acuity in the affected eye remained 20/20 throughout the course of therapy. No ganciclovir retinal toxicity was identified. CONCLUSION: High doses of intravitreal ganciclovir in combination with foscarnet can be well tolerated and may be required to successfully control cytomegalovirus retinitis in some patients, (Am J Ophthalmol 2001;131: 396-397, (C) 2001 by Elsevier Science inc, All rights reserved.).