Treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome with intravitreal ganciclovir implant.

To determine the efficacy and complication of the sustained-release intravitreal ganciclovir implanted to control cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, a prospective study with intravitreal ganciclovir devices placed in 5 eyes was conducted. No concomitant systemic anti-CMV therapy was used. The results showed that retinitis was controlled in all cases. Visual acuity improved dramatically within three weeks postoperatively and maintained for a mean period of 5.6 months. The best corrected postoperative visual acuity of the groups was not statistically significantly different from the preoperative measurement, (P=0.06, one-tailed test). Serious ocular complications were not encountered. As such the implant offers a promising alternative for local control of CMV retinitis associated with AIDS. The vision was improved and stabilized with functional vision.