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Viral Retinitis Specialist

Retina Consultants, Ltd. -  - Medical and Surgical Retina Specialist

Retina Consultants, Ltd.

Medical and Surgical Retina Specialists located in Des Plaines, Libertyville, Lisle, Elgin, Hickory Hills & Wilmette, IL

Viral retinitis is a viral infection of your retina that can lead to vision loss and blindness when left untreated. The ophthalmologists at Retina Consultants Ltd. diagnose and treat viral retinitis at their offices located in Des Plaines, Libertyville, Elgin, Lisle, Hickory Hills and Wilmette, Illinois. Call Retina Consultants, Ltd. or schedule a consultation online today if you’ve developed floaters and blurry vision over the last few days.

Viral Retinitis Q & A

What is viral retinitis?

Viral retinitis — also called cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMV retinitis) — is a viral infection of your retina. The disease usually begins in one eye but can quickly spread to your other eye. When left untreated, viral retinitis damages your retinas and optic nerves, leading to blindness.

In most cases, the infection and its symptoms develop gradually over a few days. The common signs of viral retinitis include increased volume of floaters and blurred vision. The condition can also cause peripheral vision loss.

Viral retinitis can also begin as a blind spot in your central vision and cause permanent vision loss.

What causes viral retinitis?

Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a type of herpes, is the most common cause of viral retinitis. While most adults are infected with CMV at some point, they never have any problems because their immune systems fight off the virus. But if your immune system is weakened, CMV can reactivate and spread to your retinas.

Your risk of developing viral retinitis increases when your immune system is weakened.

For example, pregnant women and patients with autoimmune conditions or leukemia that take immunosuppressant medication are more likely to develop the infection. Patients with HIV/AIDS are also at risk, although if you control your condition with antiretroviral medicines, you limit your chances of getting viral retinitis. 

How is viral retinitis diagnosed?

The ophthalmologists at Retina Consultants Ltd. diagnose viral retinitis with a comprehensive eye exam, including pupil dilation. In some cases, your doctor might take fluid or blood samples to confirm your diagnosis.

How is viral retinitis treated?

Treatment of viral retinitis is usually two-pronged. Your ophthalmologist works with your other health care providers to protect your eyes and strengthen your immune system. Your ophthalmologist can provide laser surgery to strengthen your retina and repair the damage caused by the virus. 

At the same time, you might benefit from antiviral medications like ganciclovir. You can usually take these medications orally or through an injection, although some patients benefit from an implant that releases medicine into their eye over time.

If you’re concerned about viral retinitis or have a compromised immune system, call Retina Consultants Ltd or make an appointment online today.

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