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Sub-Category:

Ophthalmologic Complications

Number of Conditions: 1

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Retinitis

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: Viral Infections

Sub-category: Ophthalmologic Complications

Symptoms:
blurry vision; floaters; loss of peripheral vision; blind spots; progressive vision loss

Root Cause:
CMV infection of the retina, leading to retinal necrosis and scarring, primarily affecting immunocompromised individuals.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Ophthalmologic examination (fundoscopy) revealing characteristic retinal changes, confirmed by CMV DNA PCR in blood or vitreous fluid.

Treatment:
Intravitreal antiviral injections and systemic antiviral therapy to control CMV.

Medications:
Ganciclovir (intravitreal or intravenous), valganciclovir (oral), foscarnet (intravenous for resistant cases).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common among patients with AIDS or other immunosuppressive conditions, particularly with CD4 counts below 50 cells/micro L.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Advanced HIV/AIDS, organ transplantation, immunosuppressive therapy.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Poor without treatment; blindness can occur. With timely therapy, vision can be preserved in some cases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Retinal detachment, blindness, and secondary infections.