Herpetic necrotizing retinitis following flucinolone acetonide intravitreal implant

Purpose: To report a case of herpes simplex virus-induced herpetic necrotizing retinitis after placement of a flucinolone acetonide (Retisert) intravitreal implant. Design: Interventional case report. Methods: Retrospective chart review. Results: A 22-year-old male with idiopathic unilateral panuveitis since 2002 that was intolerant of systemic immunosuppressive therapy received a flucinolone acetonide implant 6 years later. Intraocular inflammation was completely quiescent until 1 year following the implant, when he developed retinitis. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of polymerase chain reaction-proven herpetic necrotizing retinitis following implantation of a Retisert device. Conclusions: Although rare, herpetic necrotizing retinitis can occur in the setting of local ocular immunosuppression with the Retisert intravitreal implant. This potential infection should be considered in the face of recurrent uveitis following Retisert implantation.