Advances in treatment for cytomegalovirus retinitis.

Advances in ganciclovir and foscarnet therapies for treating cytomegalovirus retinitis, including ocular implants and injections, alternating use of foscarnet and ganciclovir, oral ganciclovir use, cidofovir treatment, and injecting either ganciclovir or foscarnet directly into affected eyes, are discussed. Interactions and adverse side effects for both drugs are listed. Final comments discuss efforts made by Isis Pharmaceuticals and their clinical testing of an antisense drug for CMV.