Acute retinal necrosis presenting exudative retinal detachment: a case report
-
By
-
Han Wang
-
Ying Zhu
-
Ai Xuan Cheng
-
Chao Zhang
-
June 24, 2026
-
Clinical Scorecard: Exudative Retinal Detachment as an Early Manifestation of Acute Retinal Necrosis: A Case Study
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|
| Condition | Acute Retinal Necrosis (ARN) |
| Key Mechanisms | Viral retinitis caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV), leading to exudative retinal detachment. |
| Target Population | Adults with acute blurred vision and ocular pain. |
| Care Setting | Ophthalmology clinic or hospital setting. |
Key Highlights
- Exudative retinal detachment is a rare early manifestation of ARN.
- Initial treatment with corticosteroids was administered before confirming VZV infection.
- Aggressive antiviral therapy led to rapid resolution of retinal detachment.
- Visual acuity was maintained at 1 month follow-up.
- Viral infection should be considered in uveitis patients with ERD and poor response to anti-inflammatory therapy.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
- Consider metagenomic testing for VZV in cases of atypical retinal detachment.
Management
- Initiate aggressive combined systemic and intravitreal antiviral therapy along with corticosteroids.
Monitoring & Follow-up
- Regular follow-up to assess visual acuity and retinal status post-treatment.
Risks
- Poor prognosis associated with retinal detachment in ARN patients.
Patient & Prescribing Data
43-year-old woman with acute retinal symptoms.
Intravenous acyclovir and intravitreal ganciclovir were critical for treatment.
Clinical Best Practices
- Early recognition of atypical presentations of ARN is essential.
- Consider viral causes in patients with ERD and unresponsive to initial therapies.
Related Resources & Content
