<unk> , also known as<unk>  syndrome, is a form of necrotizing retinitis that primarily affects severely immunocompromised individuals.  It is primarily caused by Varicella zoster virus infection, most commonly manifesting in patients who have AIDs or are undergoing chemotherapy.  Symptoms of<unk>  syndrome primarily include vision loss—progressing to blindness if untreated—as well as other visual symptoms such as floaters and flashes. The clinical presentation of<unk>  includes white-yellow necrotic lesions that coalesce to form a single film, as well as opacification of the retina and abnormal pigmentation. Unlike the associated condition acute retinal<unk> ,<unk>  syndrome does not usually manifest with anterior chamber or vitreous inflammation, nor do patients usually experience eye pain. It is important to differentiate<unk>  syndrome from other ocular conditions to prevent complications, including blindness, retinal detachment, and cataracts. If left untreated, the prognosis of<unk>  syndrome for visual acuity is poor: approximately 67% of cases will lead to blindness in the affected eye (and 61% cases of<unk>  syndrome will spread to the previously unaffected eye).  Medical therapy should be started as early as possible to stop the progression of symptoms.  The mainstay of therapy is intravenous antimicrobial therapy, usually a combination of Ganciclovir and Foscarnet.  Individual uses of the two therapies, in addition to Ancyclovir, may be indicated for less severe cases.
Progressive outer retinal necrosis
Acute retinal necrosis
Acute retinal necrosis pathophysiology
Anterior ischemic optic neuropathy
Macular degeneration
Bacterial endophthalmitis
Bleb-related endophthalmitis
Endogenous endophthalmitis