An Unusual Case of Exudative Retinal Detachment in a 6-Year-Old Child with Acute Retinal Necrosis

Purpose: To report a case of exudative retinal detachment (ERD) in a child with Acute retinal necrosis (ARN).

Method: Retrospective Chart Review.

Result: A six-year-old boy presented with anterior uveitis with hypopyon and exudative retinal detachment with peripheral confluent patches of retinitis in the left eye. Examination of the right eye was unremarkable. B scan ultrasonography of the left eye revealed moderate vitreous echoes along with a membrane in the inferior quadrant persisting on low gains indicating localised inferior retinal detachment with the presence of shifting fluid. Fundus examination under general anaesthesia failed to locate any break in the retina. Polymerase chain reaction from the aqueous aspirate was positive for Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)-I. The child was treated with intravenous acyclovir three times a day, intravitreal injection of ganciclovir and subsequently started on oral steroids (0.5 mg/kg/day). While continuing antiviral treatment, dose of corticosteroid was gradually increased to 1 mg/kg/day. Intravenous injection of acyclovir for 28 days and six intravitreal injections with corticosteroid led to complete resolution of ERD. Six months after initial presentation, the patient underwent lens aspiration with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation under general anaesthesia, under antiviral coverage. Following surgery, his BCVA in the left eye improved to 6/12.

Conclusion: ERD is a rare complication of ARN, typically associated with HSV infection. Meticulous monitoring and combined systemic and local antiviral therapy, complemented by judicious corticosteroid use, are essential for managing such cases effectively.