Douglas JH et al. – This study evaluated long–term visual and ocular sequelae in adolescents and adults infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV) to assist in early detection, intervention, and appropriate educational accommodations. In this study, higher ophthalmologic sequelae and significantly worse visual outcomes were reported in symptomatic CMV patients compared with asymptomatic CMV and control patients. Symptomatic status, optic nerve atrophy, chorioretinitis, cortical visual impairment, and sensorineural hearing loss were the major risk factors for severe visual impairment.

Methods

• A total of 237 patients (77 symptomatic, 109 asymptomatic, and 51 control) who underwent a series of age–appropriate ophthalmologic, audiologic, and neurodevelopmental examinations were included in the study.

Results

• Severe visual impairments were observed in 14 of 77 symptomatic patients and none of the asymptomatic and control subjects.
• Moderate visual impairment was not different between symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects.
• In the symptomatic group, the most common visual or ocular sequelae were strabismus (23.4%), chorioretinal scars (19.5%), cortical visual impairment (14.3%), nystagmus (14.3%), and optic nerve atrophy (11.7%).