VIRAL RETINITIS

Abstract

At least, a dozen infectious agents have been identified in the retina of patients with HIV disease. They vary in prevalence but all can lead to loss of vision. The most frequent cause of retinitis is CMV retinopathy which occurs in about one third of patients with AIDS. Other viral causes include VZV, HSV, EBV, HHV-6, Measles virus, Rubella virus and Rift Valley Fever virus. All viral causes of retinitis present with areas of yellow white retinal oedema and necrosis. Viral retinitis may be in the form of acute retinal necrosis syndrome (ARN) or rapidly progressive outer retinal necrosis syndrome (PORN) (Verbraak et al., 1996).