Macular CMV retinitis: a case report.

Purpose: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is the most common ocular opportunistic infection associated with AIDS. It usually affects the peripheral retina, sparing the macula. We describe an atypical CMV retinitis exclusively confined to the macula.

Methods: A 43-year-old man with the diagnosis of AIDS developed a white retinal lesion confined to the macula of the right eye. Two weeks later, a more typical granular appearance was observed leading to presumption of CMV retinitis.

Results: The patient was treated with ganciclovir without success. With foscarnet, a good response was obtained, leading to total healing of the lesion.

Conclusions: CMV retinitis has to be taken into consideration in all lesions confined to the macula in immunodepressed patients. An early diagnosis is crucial to avoid blindness.