Fluocinolone Acetonide Implant (Retisert) for Chronic Cystoid Macular Edema in Two Patients with AIDS and a History of Cytomegalovirus Retinitis

Abstract

Purpose: To report the authors’ experience using fluocinolone acetonide (Retisert) to treat cystoid macular edema (CME) resulting from immune recovery uveitis (IRU) in 2 acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients with a history of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis.

Design: Interventional case series.

Methods: Medical records were reviewed of 2 patients who received Retisert implantation in 3 eyes for IRU-associated inflammation and CME. Suppression of CMV disease was achieved with oral medication in one patient and with simultaneous implantation of a ganciclovir implant in the other patient.

Results: After Retisert implantation in 3 eyes in AIDS patients on HAART, improvement in CME was seen in 2 eyes. No CMV reactivation was detected during the several-month follow-up period.

Conclusions: Retisert may be an effective treatment for CME in AIDS patients with IRU reactivation and a history of CMV retinitis.

Keywords:

• acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
• cystoid macular edema
• cytomegalovirus retinitis
• immune recovery uveitis
• Retisert

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This study was supported by That Man May See, Inc., Research to Prevent Blindness, and the UCSF Hearst Fellowship Program.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.