Varicella zoster virus-associated non-necrotizing retinitis: case report

Purpose To describe clinical features and the course of a case of non-necrotizing herpetic retinitis secondary to Varicella zoster virus (VZV). Materiel and methods A single case report documented with multimodal imaging. Results A 52-year-old female patient with a past medical history of diabetes mellitus who presented with painful red right eye (OD). Ophthalmic examination showed perilimbal conjunctival nodule, granulomatous anterior uveitis, sectoral iris atrophy and increased intraocular pressure. Fundus examination in OD revealed posterior multifocal retinitis. Left eye examination was unremarkable. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of aqueous humor sample confirmed the presence of VZV DNA. Systemic antiviral therapy allowed the improvement of intraocular inflammation and disappearance of the retinal non necrotizing retinitis after one year of regular follow-up. Conclusion Non-necrotizing retinitis is an underdiagnosed form of VZV ocular infection.