Acute retinal necrosis.

Acute retinal necrosis represents a distinct, recently recognized clinical syndrome. Four patients who presented with rapid visual loss associated with uveitis and coalescent areas of retinal necrosis, followed by development of retinal detachments were examined. This paper emphasizes the following: (1) unilateral involvement does occur, (2) the distribution of lesions can be peripheral or central, and (3) early lesions are not associated with retinal vascular abnormalities either clinically or angiographically. Signs and symptoms are suggestive of an infectious process, possibly viral.