CMV retinitis, further noted as cytomegalovirus, is a virus that causes inflammation in the retina of the eye. The virus is related to the herpes virus and is extant in most Each, nevertheless our immune systems are able to battle royal the virus. Those with compromised unaffected systems may not be able to broil the infection, allowing it to spread and damage the eye.
Causes
Cytomegalovirus usually Testament produce no symptoms in healthy individuals. Weakened proof systems caused by AIDS, chemotherapy, bone core transplants and organ transplants let on the virus to spread and argument infection in the eye, resulting in CMV retinitis.
Symptoms
CMV retinitis infection symptoms allow for floaters, which are drab spots or strands in your sphere of sight, blurred seeing, blind spots, a chop in eyes and lucent flashes. The infection typically starts in one eye, however recurrently progresses to the other eye. Blindness can consummation in 4-6 months without treatment.
Diagnosis
Your eye learned Testament dilate your eyes and perform a procedure called ophthalmoscopy to composition your retina. Retinal detachment and blindness may be caused by the infection. Damage to kidneys and low white blood cell count can be caused by the anti-viral medications.Those with HIV-AIDS or other immune-suppressing diseases should have regular eye examinations to check for CMV retinitis.
The goal of treatment is to slow progression of the disease. Anti-viral medications such as Cytovene, Foscavir and Vistide are prescribed and taken orally, intravenously or by direct injection into the eye. The drug therapy is normally a long-term treatment.
Considerations
CMV retinitis progresses even with treatment. The medications slow the progression by stopping the virus from replicating, but cannot kill the virus itself. Other complications can arise from the disease and from treatment itself. He Testament be able to distinguish any damage and signs of CMV retinitis. Blood and urine tests may further be performed to disclose substances from the infection. A tissue biopsy may be performed to check for virus particles.
