A study of ocular manifestations in HIV positive patients

Abstract

: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and pattern of ocular manifestation in HIV positive patients and to correlate ocular lesions with CD4 counts in HIV positive patients. The study was conducted as an observational study on seropositive HIV patients attending ART center and OPD department of ophthalmology during the study period of 2 years. Detailed sociodemographic and clinical history was obtained. Patients were subjected to thorough ophthalmologic evaluation and necessary investigations and findings were noted. Ocular manifestations could be observed in 36 (52.2%) cases. Among them, unilateral ocular manifestations were observed in 11 (15.9%) cases and bilateral involvement in 25 (36.2%) out of 69 patients. A wide spectrum of ocular manifestations were observed, most commonly of posterior segment. Ocular manifestations were not significantly associated with CD4 count (p>0.05) except CMV retinitis which was significantly associated with lower CD4 count (<150 in 14.3% cases). Papilledema was significantly associated with higher CD4 count (p<0.05).Ocular manifestations in HIV positive patients has a wide range of presentation. Every HIV patient must be educated about their ocular condition and should be advised to undergo regular ophthalmic examinations. Health care professionals also should be educated and trained in every aspect so as to pick up early cases of ophthalmic manifestations of HIV and should have coordination with ART center for easy assessment, detection and treating of vision-threatening ocular lesions at the earliest possible.