Intravitreal foscarnet in CMV retinitis.

Purpose To assess the tolerability and efficacy of intravitreal injections of foscarnet in cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Methods Patients with CMV retinitis resistant and/or intolerant to intravenous foscarnet and ganciclovir and resistant to intravitreal ganciclovir were included. The induction therapy consisted of intravitreal injections of 2,400 mu g of foscarnet twice a week. The assessment was performed by clinical examination and photographies of the fundus. Results Three patients (four eyes) have been included. Three eyes were administered seven and one eye eight intravitreal injections. The tolerability was good but the efficacy was mere: the retinal lesions became less edematous, but they still extended. Conclusion In these four eyes with CMV retinitis resistant to intravitreal ganciclovir, intravitreal injections of foscarnet were well tolerated bur did not stop the progression of the retinitis.