Studies of Ocular Complications of AIDS (SOCA)--Ganciclovir-Cidofovir CMV Retinitis Trial (GCCRT)

Inclusion criteria: * Age 13 years or older * Diagnosis of AIDS according to current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) definition * Diagnosis of active CMV retinitis by a SOCA-certified ophthalmologist (involvement of any zone or amount of retina is allowed) * Best corrected visual acuity of 20/100 or better in at least one eye * At least one lesion 750 cells/µL or greater * Platelet count 50,000 cells/µL or greater * Willingness and ability, with the assistance of a caregiver if necessary to comply with treatment and follow up procedures * Willingness of all men and women of childbearing potential to practice adequate birth control to prevent pregnancies during the study and for 3 months afterwards * Collection of all baseline data within 5 days prior to randomization * Signed consent statement Exclusion criteria: * Media opacities that preclude visualization of the fundus of all otherwise eligible eyes * Treatment for CMV retinitis with the ganciclovir intraocular implant within 9 months of study entry * Medical problems or drug or alcohol abuse sufficient to hinder adherence to treatment or follow up procedures * Unwillingness to refrain from breast-feeding during the study and for 3 months afterwards