Treating CME Without Reactivating Retinitis

Data from a retrospective Emory Eye Center series suggest most eyes with CME following infectious retinitis achieved resolution without disease reactivation, although prolonged treatment and close monitoring were often required.

By: Sruthi Arepalli, MD

Retinal Physician July 21, 2026

Clinical Report: Treating CME Without Reactivating Retinitis

Overview

A retrospective study from Emory Eye Center indicates that most eyes with cystoid macular edema (CME) following infectious retinitis achieved resolution without disease reactivation. Prolonged treatment and careful monitoring were necessary.

Background

Cystoid macular edema is a significant complication following infectious retinitis, and its management lacks established guidelines. The concern with using corticosteroids in these patients is the potential for reactivating the underlying infectious disease.

Data Highlights

Outcome	Number of Eyes
Resolution	40/53 (75%)
Marked Improvement	8 additional eyes

Key Findings

75% of eyes achieved resolution of CME with topical steroid drops.
Long-term treatment and multiple cycles were often necessary for resolution.
Local and systemic steroids were associated with higher resolution rates but were used less frequently due to reactivation concerns.
No cases of disease reactivation were observed in the study group.
Intraocular pressure increased in some patients, managed with observation or drops.

Clinical Implications

The findings support the safety of prolonged topical steroid treatment for CME in patients with a history of infectious retinitis, given the absence of disease reactivation.

Conclusion

The study highlights the effectiveness of topical steroids in managing CME post-infectious retinitis without reactivating the underlying disease.

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