Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41654711›Full record

SynthesisBMC infectious diseases2026

Retinal toxicity induced by intravitreal ganciclovir injection: case series and systematic review.

Lin Yang, Yan Zheng, Min Ke, Xiaomin Chen

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC infectious diseases, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Lin YangDepartment of Ophthalmology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 169 Donghu Road, Wuhan, 430071, China.
Yan ZhengDepartment of Ophthalmology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 169 Donghu Road, Wuhan, 430071, China.
Min KeDepartment of Ophthalmology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 169 Donghu Road, Wuhan, 430071, China. keminyk@163.com.
Xiaomin ChenDepartment of Ophthalmology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, No. 169 Donghu Road, Wuhan, 430071, China. xminchen@whu.edu.cn.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveThis study aims to conduct a systematic review to summarize the rare retinal toxicity associated with intravitreal ganciclovir injections.

methodsA retrospective analysis was performed on patients who received intravitreal ganciclovir injections at our institution (Jan 2021–Dec 2024). Following the PRISMA guidelines, databases such as PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus were systematically searched to identify reported cases of retinal toxicity in the literature.

resultsA total of 16 cases (17 eyes) were included, comprising 5 cases (5 eyes) from our institution and 11 cases (12 eyes) from 11 published articles. The average age was 52 years (range, 26–79), with 13 patients (81.3%) being male. Thirteen cases were diagnosed with cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, and 3 with acute retinal necrosis (ARN). Based on multimodal imaging, retinal toxicity was classified into three categories: crystalline retinopathy (6 eyes, 35.3%), toxic pigmentary retinopathy (7 eyes, 41.2%), and macular toxicity (8 eyes, 47.1%). Notably, crystalline retinopathy and toxic pigmentary retinopathy often coexisted with macular toxicity. All cases received ≥ 2 mg intravitreal ganciclovir, except one silicone oil-filled eye that received 1 mg. Approximately two-thirds of injections exceeded 4 mg per administration.

conclusionThis study provides an in-depth examination of the clinical features of retinal toxicity induced by intravitreal ganciclovir, systematically detailing its multimodal imaging characteristics and key points for early detection. The findings highlight that while intravitreal ganciclovir is effective in controlling primary disease progression, its potential for retinal toxicity requires careful consideration.

Indexed as

Antiviral AgentsGanciclovirRetinaRetinal DiseasesAdultAgedCytomegalovirus RetinitisFemaleHumansIntravitreal InjectionsMaleMiddle AgedRetinal Necrosis Syndrome, AcuteRetrospective StudiesAntiviral AgentsGanciclovirGanciclovirIntravitreal injectionRetinal toxicity

Identifiers

PMID41654711
PMCPMC12977695

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.