Comparison of Two Methods in the Treatment of Cytomegalovirus of the Eyes in Patients With AIDS

Inclusion Criteria Concurrent Medication: Allowed: * G-CSF and GM-CSF. * Antiretroviral therapy. Patients must have: * HIV infection. * First episode of CMV retinitis. * No prior end-organ CMV disease - PER AMENDMENT 4/25/96: No prior end organ CMV disease within the past 6 months. Subjects who have been prophylaxed with oral ganciclovir and develop an episode of CMV retinitis are eligible. * No active AIDS-defining opportunistic infection or malignancy that requires nephrotoxic or myelosuppressive therapy. * Life expectancy of at least 6 months. * Consent of parent or guardian if less than 18 years of age. NOTE: * This protocol is approved for prisoner participation. Exclusion Criteria Co-existing Condition: Patients with the following symptoms or conditions are excluded: * PER AMENDMENT 4/25/96: Retinal detachment not scheduled for surgical repair, in all eyes meeting other eligibility criteria. (Was written as - No current retinal detachment (although old retinal detachments unrelated to HIV infection which have been repaired are permitted). * Corneal, lens, or vitreous opacification that precludes funduscopic exam. * Clinically significant pulmonary or neurologic impairment, such as intubation or coma. (Patients with a CNS mass or history of seizure disorder may enroll.) * Tuberculous, diabetic, or hypertensive retinopathy, or other retinal lesions that would interfere with measurements of response or progression. * Known hypersensitivity to the study drugs. PER AMENDMENT 4/25/96: * Presence of CMV retinal lesions that are only in areas of the retina which cannot be photographed. Concurrent Medication: Excluded: * Immunomodulators, biologic response modifiers, interferon, or investigational agents that may influence course of CMV infection. * Systemic acyclovir or any nephrotoxic agent, specifically aminoglycosides, amphotericin B, and parenteral pentamidines. * Any concomitant therapy that would preclude use of cidofovir, foscarnet or ganciclovir. Prior Medication: Excluded: PER AMENDMENT 4/25/96: * Use of IV ganciclovir, foscarnet or cidofovir within 6 months prior to study enrollment. (Was written - Ganciclovir or foscarnet for non-CMV herpes infections within 6 months prior to study entry.)