Retinal toxicity of ganciclovir in vitrectomy infusion solution.

The authors investigated the retinal toxicity of the antiviral agent ganciclovir after its addition to vitrectomy infusion fluid in rabbit eyes. Intravitreal infusion of the drug in concentrations up to 30 micrograms/ml produced no electroretinographic or histologic changes suggestive of retinal toxicity. Ganciclovir in vitrectomy infusion fluid has potential therapeutic benefit in viral retinitis (particularly in cytomegalovirus retinitis) associated with vitreous traction or rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Based on the median inhibitory doses of ganciclovir against various herpes group viruses and the results of this study, a concentration of 30 micrograms/ml or less of the drug is recommended for vitrectomy infusion solution.