Purpose: To describe the chronic use of high doses of intravitreal ganciclovir, in combination with foscarnet, for the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis.
Methods: A 31-year-old man with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and unilateral active cytomegalovirus retinitis was treated with escalating intravitreal injections of ganciclovir (up to 3.0 mg twice a week) in combination with foscarnet (up to 2.4 mg twice a week) over the course of approximately 1 year.
Results: Complete regression of the retinitis was obtained with high doses of intravitreal ganciclovir and foscarnet. Visual acuity in the affected eye remained 20/20 throughout the course of therapy. No ganciclovir retinal toxicity was identified.
Conclusion: High doses of intravitreal ganciclovir in combination with foscarnet can be well tolerated and may be required to successfully control cytomegalovirus retinitis in some patients.