Retinal neovascularization associated with acute retinal necrosis.

Unilateral acute retinal necrosis (ARN), developed in a previously healthy 17-year-old boy. Neovascularization of the retina and optic disc was observed when the opaque vitreous was removed by pars plana vitrectomy. Following surgery there was a rapid resolution of neovascularization suggesting that intraocular inflammation, rather than retinal ischemia, was the cause of new vessel formation. Analysis of vitreous mononuclear cells with monoclonal antibodies and the fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) revealed mostly T cells; a pattern consistent with intraocular infection as the cause of ARN. The pathogenesis of intraocular infection is complex and some patients with ARN may be helped by systemic immunosuppression (ie, corticosteroids).