Infectious Retinitis
Infectious retinitis is an inflammation of the retina resulting from infection by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites. These pathogens affect patients differently depending on characteristics like age, location, and immune status. Treatment is aimed at preventing permanent vision loss and protecting the fellow eye.
Some patients with infectious retinitis will notice “floaters” or decreased vision, while others have no symptoms at the time of diagnosis. Observed floaters in the gel of the eye may be collections of inflammatory cells, or cells released from retinal breaks or bleeding. Vision is blurred by inflammatory haze within the eye and by involvement of specific retinal areas that give central vision. Symptoms can appear suddenly or slowly progress.
Children with congenital infections, those whose mothers were actively infected during pregnancy or childbirth, may have misaligned eyes, involuntary eye movements, or an abnormal white reflex through the pupil.
Some patients are sensitive to light and have red, painful eyes, while others may be systemically ill, with symptoms including fevers, chills, and unintentional weight loss.
Treatment is directed at the source of infection. In some cases, local therapy can be administered via injections into the eye, but oral or intravenous medications are sometimes necessary. Laser procedures or surgery are indicated for some infections.
