Pattern of Acute Retinal Necrosis in a Referral Center in Tunisia, North Africa. (3rd September 2015) - Khochtali, Sana
Abstract: Purpose : To describe the pattern of acute retinal necrosis (ARN) syndrome in a referral center in Tunisia. Methods : Retrospective review of the charts of 12 patients (12 eyes). Results : Necrotizing retinitis involved >50% of the retina in 33.3% of eyes. Polymerase chain reaction on aqueous humor sample identified herpes simplex virus-1 in 4 eyes (33.3%) and varicella zoster virus in 3 eyes (25%), and was negative in 5 eyes (41.7%). All patients received intravenous acyclovir, followed by oral antivirals. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 16 months. Retinal detachment (RD) occurred in 3 eyes (25%), but no patient developed bilateral ARN. Final visual acuity was 20/200 or worse in 7 eyes (58.3%). Delay in diagnosis ( p = 0.015), macular involvement ( p = 0.045), development of RD ( p = 0.018), and 25–50% of retinal involvement ( p = 0.045) were associated with a worse visual outcome. Conclusion : ARN carries poor visual prognosis in Tunisia.