INTRAVITREAL USE OF FOSCARNET - RETINOTOXICITY OF REPEATED INJECTIONSIN THE RABBIT EYE

Cytomegalovirus retinitis is the most frequent ocular opportunistic in fection in AIDS patients. In selected cases intravitreal injections of foscarnet may be the sole therapeutic possibility. The retinal toxici ty of the drug, however, has not yet been thoroughly investigated. Our present study in the rabbit eye concerns the retinal toxicity of 2, 4 , and 6 intravitreal injections of 3.6 mg of foscarnet, using ophthalm oscopy, histology and electrophysiology to evaluate retinal damage. Th e results show that foscarnet may be employed intravitreally without s ubstantial damage to the retina, but only in short courses of injectio ns when no other therapeutic possibility may be utilized.