| Presentation preference | Poster presentation |
| Title | Pattern of Acute Retinal Necrosis in a Referral Center in Tunisia, North Africa |
| Purpose | To describe the pattern of acute retinal necrosis (ARN) in a referral center in Tunisia, North Africa. |
| Methods | The charts of 22 patients diagnosed with ARN from January 2006 to January 2023, in the Department of Ophthalmology, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital of Monastir, were retrospectively reviewed. |
| Results | The mean age at presentation was 39.2 (range, 12-70) years, sex ratio was 1.75. The mean diagnostic delay was 17.9 days (range, 1-60). The mean visual acuity at presentation was 20/400. All patients presented with mild to moderate anterior uveitis (100%) with granulomatous keratic precipitates in 18 eyes (81%) and ocular hypertension in 4 eyes (18%). Necrotizing retinitis involved more than 50% of the retina in 36.5% of eyes. Polymerase chain reaction on aqueous humor sample identified varicella zoster virus (VZV) in 10 eyes (45%), herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) in 4 eyes (18%) and was negative in 8 eyes (36%). All patients received intravenous acyclovir, followed by oral antivirals. Intravitreal injections of ganciclovir were administered in 12 eyes (54.5%). Follow up ranged from 6 months to 48 months. The mean final visual acuity was 20/200. Complications included retinal detachment (RD) (31,8%), macular edema (18%), macular atrophy (22%), epimacular membrane (22%), cataract (27%), optic nerve atrophy (18%), and central retinal artery occlusion (4%). No patient developed bilateral ARN. Prophylactic laser was performed in 7 eyes (32%). RD was treated with pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil injection in 7 eyes. |
| Conclusion | ARN syndrome in Tunisia is most commonly caused by VZV followed by HSV-1. An earlier diagnosis and management are mandatory for a better visual prognosis. |
| Conflict of interest | No |
Authors 1
| Last name | NABI |
| Initials of first name(s) | W |
| Department | Department of Ophthalmology, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital of Monastir, Tunisia |
| City | Monastir |
| Country | Tunisia |
Authors 2
| Last name | Mahjoub |
| Initials of first name(s) | A |
| Department | Department of Ophthalmology, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital of Monastir, Tunisia |
| City | Monastir |
| Country | Tunisia |
Authors 3
| Last name | Trimech |
| Initials of first name(s) | I |
| Department | Department of Ophthalmology, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital of Monastir, Tunisia |
| City | Monastir |
| Country | Tunisia |
Authors 4
| Last name | Kechida |
| Initials of first name(s) | M |
| Department | Department of internal medecine, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital of Monastir |
| City | Monastir |
| Country | Tunisia |
Authors 5
| Last name | Jelliti |
| Initials of first name(s) | B |
| Department | Department of Ophthalmology, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital of Monastir, Tunisia |
| City | Monastir |
| Country | Tunisia |
Authors 6
| Last name | Khairallah |
| Initials of first name(s) | M |
| Department | Department of Ophthalmology, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital of Monastir, Tunisia |
| City | Monastir |
| Country | Tunisia |
