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CMV retinitis associated with increased risk of cataract
Patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis and AIDS had a high absolute and relative risk of cataract compared with the general population and with contralateral eyes without cytomegalovirus retinitis, a study found.
The prospective cohort study analyzed 729 eyes of 489 patients aged at least 13 years and diagnosed with AIDS and cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis.
A higher prevalence of cataract was found in patients with bilateral CMV retinitis than in those with unilateral CMV retinitis (adjusted odds ratio: 2.74). In patients with unilateral CMV retinitis, affected eyes demonstrated a higher prevalence of cataract than unaffected eyes (P < .0001).
Patients with larger CMV retinitis lesions or prior retinal detachment were found to have a higher risk of cataract.
The use of silicone oil during retinal detachment repair could potentially be modified to reduce risk, but in some cases silicone oil is necessary to reattach a retina successfully, the study authors said.