ABSTRACT
Acute retinal necrosis (ARN) syndrome is a kind of rare eye infectious disease caused by herpetic virus primarily.Visual prognosis of ARN patient is poor because of a high rate of complications including retinal detachment.The infection and antiinfection runs through the pathological process in ARN,such as invasion and dissemination of virus as well as the immunologic response of body.The multiple mechanisms are associated with the entry and spread of virus,including binding of viral surface protein and host receptor.Establishment of latency of the virus relies on access to related neuron,ganglion,ocular tissue which may occur after initial entry and replication.Activation of the immunologic system makes it possible to eliminate the virus and control infection.The relationship of viral invasion,dissemination and immune response with ARN pathogenesis and progression were reviewed.