Reversible bull’s-eye maculopathy associated with intravitreal fomivirsen therapy for cytomegalovirus retinitis

• Published in: American journal of ophthalmology 2000-08, Vol.130 (2), p.242-243
• Main Authors: Stone, Thomas W, Jaffe, Glenn J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections - drug therapy; Antiviral Agents - adverse effects; Antiviral Agents - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Cytomegalovirus Retinitis - drug therapy; Drug toxicity and drugs side effects treatment; Humans; Injections; Macula Lutea - drug effects; Macula Lutea - physiopathology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Retinal Diseases - chemically induced; Retinal Diseases - physiopathology; Thionucleotides - adverse effects; Thionucleotides - therapeutic use; Toxicity: eye; Visual Acuity; Vitreous Body
• ISSN: 0002-9394; 1879-1891
• DOI: 10.1016/S0002-9394(00)00495-5

PURPOSE: To report two cases in which a bull’s eye maculopathy developed after intravitreal injection of fomivirsen. METHODS: Case reports. RESULTS: A 50-year-old man with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and refractory cytomegalovirus retinitis developed bull’s-eye pigmentary changes in the macula of the right eye after initiating therapy with fomivirsen (Vitravene; CIBA Vision, Atlanta, Georgia) intravitreal injections. These pigmentary changes resolved upon cessation of treatment. A 36-year-old man with AIDS and refractory bilateral cytomegalovirus retinitis developed bull’s-eye pigmentary changes in both eyes during bilateral intravitreal treatment with fomivirsen. Vision was not affected. These changes resolved after treatment with fomivirsen was stopped. CONCLUSION: Fomivirsen, a new medication for the treatment of refractory cytomegalovirus retinitis, may cause a bull’s-eye maculopathy in some patients. The bull’s-eye maculopathy is reversible and does not appear to affect vision.