Retinitis | |
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Retinitis caused by CMV (fundus photograph) | |
Specialty | Ophthalmology |
Retinitis is inflammation of the retina in the eye, which can permanently damage the retina and lead to blindness. The retina is the eye's "sensing" tissue. Retinitis may be caused by a number of different infectious agents. Its most common form, called retinitis pigmentosa, has a prevalence of one in every 2,500–7,000 people. This condition is one of the leading causes that leads to blindness in patients in the age range of 20–60 years old.
Retinitis may be caused by several infectious agents, including toxoplasmosis,[1] cytomegalovirus and candida.[2] Cytomegalovirus retinitis is an important cause of blindness in AIDS patients.[2] Candida spreading to the retina from the bloodstream usually results in the production of several retinal abscesses.[2]