Cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMV retinitis) is a serious viral infection of the retina. It is most commonly found in people with compromised immune systems.
CMV retinitis is caused by cytomegalovirus, one of the herpes viruses, which infect a large part of adults. Most people have been exposed to the virus, but the larger part of those exposed do not have any symptoms of infection. In older people with weaker immune systems, damage to the retina can occur when the virus is spread from herpes zoster on the forehead and nose.
The symptoms of CMV retinitis can start with slow blurring of the vision over a few days. Often, those symptoms lead to the loss of peripheral vision. Symptoms usually first start in one eye but often progress to the other eye. Without treatment or improvement in the immune system, CMV retinitis destroys the retina and damages the optic nerve, which can cause blindness.
Strengthening the immune system is an important part of the treatment for CMV retinitis. There are also specific CMV retinitis procedures in existence. Ganciclovir and other antiviral medications are available, and they can be applied orally, intravenously, intraocularly (through an injection in the eye). Often, laser surgery is needed to strengthen the retina.
Even with treatment, the vision lost due to CMV retinitis cannot be recovered.