A spectrum of ocular manifestations in HIV/AIDS Patients: A retrospective analysis at a tertiary care centre in South India

Abstract

To evaluate the prevalence of Ocular manifestations in HIV/AIDS patients and its correlation with CD4 countsThe ophthalmology OPD records of 100 HIV positive patients who attended Ophthalmology OPD(referred from ART centre in the Institute) for screening to rule out ocular manifestations in the period of Jan 2009 to Dec 2009 were evaluated retrospectively.Out of 100 patients evaluated, ocular manifestations were seen in 54%. The percentage of patients with Anterior segment manifestations, Posterior segment manifestations and Adnexal manifestations were 12.96 %, 31.48 % and 79.62% respectively. Conjunctivalmicrovasculopathy was the most common Ocular manifestations seen in 36% of the patients. HIV microangiopathy was seen in 10 % of the patients and was the most common Posterior segment manifestations. Sight threatening complications like CMV retinitis was seen in 4 % of the patients. 60.8% of patients with ocular manifestations had CD4 count less than 100 cells/cu.mm. With the decrease in the CD4 count, the prevalence of Ocular manifestations increased. Most common systemic association was Tuberculosis.Though the prevalence of ocular manifestations is low when compared with the previous studies, Sight threatening ocular manifestations are seen frequently in HIV patients due to increased longevity of the patients with HAART therapy and also due to increased duration for the immune system to mature to act against the opportunistic infections. So frequent Ophthalmic examination should be made mandatory for all HIV patients with CD 4 count < 400 cells / cu.mm even if the patients are on HAART therapy.