Intravitreal foscarnet in CMV retinitis.

Purpose To assess the tolerability and efficacy of intravitreal injections of fosca rnet in cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in acquired immunodeficiency syndro me (AIDS). Methods Patients with CMV retinitis resistant and/or intolerant to intravenous fosc arnet and ganciclovir and resistant to intravitreal ganciclovir were includ ed. The induction therapy consisted of intravitreal injections of 2,400 mu g of foscarnet twice a week. The assessment was performed by clinical exami nation 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.