1. What does ARN stand for?
2. What are its symptoms?
3. How is it treated?
4. How should ARN be followed up?
5. How do I get more information?

What does ARN stand for?

ARN is an acronym for Acute Retinal Necrosis.

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What are its symptoms?

ARN symptoms may include blurred vision often associated with floaters, ocular pain, and photophobia. Most patients are in good systemic health. HIV infection should be considered.

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How is it treated?

The patient is usually admitted to the hospital for intravenous administration of antiviral medications. The goal of the treatment is to decrease the incidence of the disease in the fellow eye. The treatment does not reduce the rate of retinal detachment in the first eye. Topical cycloplegics and steroids are given. Anticoagulation may be given.

Some physicians administer intravenous steroids at the time of diagnosis, particulary when the optic nerve is thought to be involved. Prophylactic laser photocoagulation is considered by others to wall-off or prevent subsequent rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. In cases with obvious rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, a pars plana vitrectomy with long-acting gas or silicone oil is performed. In these advanced cases, proliferative vitreoretinopathy is common.

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How should ARN be followed up?

Patients with ARN are seen daily initially while admitted. They are then examined every few weeks to months for a year or so. The ophthalmologist performs a careful fundus evaluation with scleral depression during each visit. Retinal holes should be attended to immediately with laser treatment in order to prevent rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Optic neuropathy should be considered if the retinopathy does not coincide with the amount of visual loss.

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Duker JS, Blumenkranz MS. Diagnosis and management of the acute retinal necrosis syndrome. Surv Ophthalmol 1991;35:327-343.

Figueroa MS, Garabito I, Gutierrez C, Fortun J. Famciclovir for the treatment of acute retinal necrosis (ARN) syndrome. Am J Ophthalmol 1997;123:255-257.

How do I get more information?

There are several ways of reaching the ophthalmologists of EYE REPUBLIC Ophthalmology Clinic: Hover note: Please place your mouse cursor over the red box to click on the web and email links. For websites, a new browser window will open. For emails, your default email program will open. You may cut and paste the URLs or email addresses if you prefer not to open new windows. ONLINE ACCESS WEBSITES.      http://www.EyeRepublic.com.ph - EYE REPUBLIC Ophthalmology Clinic      http://www.OCP.com.ph - Ophthalmic Consultants Philippines Co. -      http://www.LASIK.com.ph - Refractive Surgery Resource      http://www.Cataract.com.ph  - Cataract Surgery Resource      http://www.Eye.com.ph - Eye Information Online      http://www.EyeDoc4Kids.com.ph - Eye Information for Kids      http://www.Retina.com.ph - Retina Surgery Resource      http://www.Glaucoma.com.ph - Glaucoma Online      http://www.Uveitis.com.ph - Uveitis Online EMAIL. After writing down your comments, suggestions, problems and/or questions, kindly tell us how to get in touch with you by providing your name, email, home/office numbers, and mobile phone.      General inquiries - help@EyeRepublic.com.ph      Refractive Surgery Service - refractive.surgery@EyeRepublic.com.ph      Glaucoma Service - glaucoma@EyeRepublic.com.ph      Cataract Service - cataract@EyeRepublic.com.ph      Doctors - eyemd@EyeRepublic.com.ph       Administrative - president@EyeRepublic.com.ph      Website - webmaster@EyeRepublic.com.ph      Newsletter - newsletter@EyeRepublic.com.ph (receive news and updates, discounts and promotions) BLOG. Send us your comments.      EYE REPUBLIC      Ophthalmology Atlas CLINIC INFORMATION      Mobile E-Yellow Pages. Via SMS, text LUK4 EYEREPUBLIC (send to 2851 for Globe and Sun Cellular, and 2951 for Smart).
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