The Effect of Topical Ganciclovir and Corticosteroid on Cytomegalovirus Corneal Endotheliitis in Korean Patients

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To report long-term outcomes of topical ganciclovir (GCV) and corticosteroids in Korean patients with cytomegalovirus (CMV) corneal endotheliitis.

Methods: This retrospective study included 13 eyes from 13 patients with CMV corneal endotheliitis, with a follow-up period of 24.5 ± 8.2 months. The patients were consistently maintained with topical 2% GCV and 1% prednisolone acetate eyedrop.

Results: All patients demonstrated unilateral typical coin-shaped keratic precipitates (KPs) or linear KP, and positive CMV polymerase chain reaction of aqueous humor. After 2 weeks of treatment, all patients showed decrease of clinical signs. During the follow-up, four patients developed mild anterior chamber inflammation with increased intraocular pressure without typical coin-shaped KPs or edema, started to use the initial dose, and resolved the clinical signs. One patient showed recurrence of corneal edema twice, and was administered systemic valgancyclovir for 2 weeks upon second recurrence with resolution of clinical signs.

Conclusion: Long-term maintenance therapy with topical GCV and corticosteroids are effective and maintain corneal endothelial function in Korean patients with CMV endotheliitis.

Keywords:

• Corticosteroid
• Cytomegalovirus corneal endotheliitis
• Ganciclovir
• Korean patients
• long-term outcomes

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

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

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIP) (No. 2017R1A2B4012327), and by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (2016R1A6A1A03010528).