Optic disk neovascularization in a patient with cytomegalovirus retinitis associated with renal transplantation

Purpose: To report the development of optic nerve head neovascularization d uring the recovery phase of cytomegalovirus ( CMV) retinitis in a renal all ograft recipient. Case report: A 46-year-old male renal allograft recipient developed CMV retinitis seven months after transplantation. At the time of the diagnosis, the patient was being immunosuppressed with prednisone, cyc losporine, and azathioprine, and was treated with repeated intravitreal and intravenous ganciclovir. Six-weeks after the initiation of therapy, optic disk neovascularization developed. This was confirmed by fluorescein angiog raphy, which showed no areas of retinal capillary nonperfusion. At this sta ge, active retinal lesions were partially resolved. Apart from intraocular inflammation, no other cause of neovascularization was detected. Over the f ollowing six-months, optic disk neovascularization regressed spontaneously without causing vitreous hemorrhage or visual loss. There was no recurrence of CMV retinitis during follow-up. Conclusion: Optic disk neovascularizati on may develop in the healing phase of CMV retinitis in renal transplant re cipients.