[3] ARN can progress into other conditions such as uveitis, detachment of the retina, and ultimately can lead to blindness.
[2][6] In 1978, Young and Bird named the disease when presented in both eyes, Bilateral Acute Retinal Necrosis, otherwise known as BARN.
[6] Specific genetic markers in Caucasians in the United States have shown elevated risk for disease development (HLA-DQw7 and Bw62, DR4) as well as HLA-Aw33, B44, and DRw6 in the Japanese population.
The acute herpetic phase is characterized by when viral particles infiltrate the retina and vitreous causing an inflammatory reaction.
If left untreated, 50 to 75% of patients with ARN will experience detachment of their retina in the affected eye.
Though most diagnoses of ARN are made by clinical features, a physician may take a vitreous sample and have it tested for herpes markers.
[2] The American Uveitis Society has established the following guidelines for ARN diagnosis: While there is no prevention for ARN, exposing a patient to antiviral agents in the earlier phases of the outbreak tend to decrease the duration of the active phase of the disease.
Taking antiviral agents after the issue is resolved seems to lessen the chance of it spreading to the other eye.
Some commonly administered antiviral agents are as follows: In a study done published by the British Journal of Ophthalmology, the cases of ARN/BARN reported in 2001-2002 in the UK, Varicella Zoster Virus was the most common culprit for the disease and presented mostly in men than in women.