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Acute Retinal Necrosis Syndrome |
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Acute Retinal Necrosis Syndrome | ||
Acute retinal necrosis syndrome is when cells in the retina die from an unnatural cause. It is the death of living tissue. | ||
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The most common cause of acute retinal necrosis syndrome is the herpes zoster virus, although herpes simplex and cytomegalovirus have also been implicated. | ||
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Acute retinal necrosis syndrome nearly always causes a noticeable decrease in vision and may be accompanied by pain in or around the eye. In areas where retinal tissue has died, the vision corresponding to that area of the retina will not return. | ||
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The diagnosis of acute retinal necrosis syndrome is made by a retinal examination, lab tests, and an extensive medical history and evaluation. | ||
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Treatment of acute retinal necrosis begins with antiviral medication called acyclovir. The ocular treatments range from antiviral eye drops, to laser or surgery, depending on findings in the retina. The prognosis for vision is often poor, but varies individually with every patient. | ||
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A healthy lifestyle, regular medical examinations and good hand washing habits all help prevent the spread of viral infections such as herpes. | ||
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