Efficacy of 2% ganciclovir eye drops in the treatment of cytomegalovirus anterior uveitis

TL;DR

A study found that 2% ganciclovir eye drops effectively and safely treat cytomegalovirus anterior uveitis, improving eye pressure and symptoms without major side effects.

Contribution

This study provides clinical evidence supporting the use of 2% ganciclovir eye drops as a primary treatment for cytomegalovirus anterior uveitis.

Findings

2% ganciclovir eye drops significantly reduced intraocular pressure in patients with CMV-AU.

Most patients showed improvement in vision and uveitis symptoms without serious adverse events.

Recurrence was managed with additional treatments, but no patients required intravenous therapy.

Abstract

To investigate the efficacy and safety of 2% ganciclovir (GCV) eye drops for the treatment of primary cytomegalovirus anterior uveitis (CMV-AU)

Retrospective cohort study

This study included 12 patients diagnosed with CMV-AU who were treated with 2% GCV eye drops. The patients’ demographics, clinical presentations, treatment regimens, and outcomes were analyzed.

The cohort consisted predominantly of men (11:1 ratio), with a mean age of 63.4 years and all presenting with unilateral disease. Common presenting symptoms were blurred vision and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). After the initiation of 2% GCV eye drops, all the patients demonstrated positive responses, with improvement in BCVA, decreased IOP, and resolution of keratic precipitates including coin-shaped lesions. Recurrence of uveitis occurred in 66.7% of the patients and was managed with intensified topical corticosteroids, antiglaucoma medications, and/or short-term oral GCV. IOP significantly decreased after treatment (P <.05), whilst BCVA and corneal endothelial cell counts remained stable. No patients developed bullous keratopathy or required intravenous GCV. One patient underwent trabeculectomy for uncontrolled IOP.

This study’s findings suggest that 2% GCV eye drops are a safe and effective treatment option for primary CMV-AU, offering improvements in IOP and uveitis control. All the patients completed the treatment without serious adverse events, supporting the favorable safety profile of 2% GCV eye drops.

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