Uveitis in a child following varicella

Purpose : To report a child who developed unilateral panuveitis following varicella infection. Case : A 9year-old boy presented with impaired visual acuity in the left eye. He had suffered from varicella 3 weeks before that lasted for 5 days. The left eye became hyperemic with impaired visual acuity. Findings : Visual acuity was 1.5 right and 0.7 left. The left eye showed signs of iridocyclitis, vitreous opacity, sheathing of retinal veins, and retinal exudates. He was treated by intravenous infusion of acyclovir and peroral prednisolone similar to the guideline for acute retinal necrosis. Visual acuity improved to 1.5 2 weeks later and the treatment was switched to peroral baracyclovir. Intraocular inflammation subsided 3 months later. The right eye remained free of lesions throughout. Conclusion : Systemic treatment similar to that for acute retinal necrosis was effective for pediatric uveitis following varicella infection.