Abstract
The human immunodeficiency virus infection causes a wide range of ocular manifestations. It is a growing concern in the developing countries. Now, the government provides the highly active antiretroviral therapy free of cost. But ocular manifestations continue to arise in patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection. Hence a comparitive analysis of the disease pattern is important in assessing the ocular manifestations in the pre–HAART and HAART era. The aim of this retrospective series is to analyse the ocular manifestations in Human Immunodeficiency Virus patients in the pre-HAART and HAART era This retrospective study includes Human Immunodeficiency Virus positive patients from the pre-Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) (1995-2000) and HAART era (2005-2017). Patients were assessed for the ocular manifestations. This study included 83 patients in the pre HAART era and 98 patients in the HAART era. Cytomegalovirus retinitis was the most common ocular manifestation in the pre-HAART and the HAART era. Inspite of free availability of the antiretroviral therapy, the results of our study has not shown a reduction in the ocular manifestations in the HAART era. Awareness among the high risk population, screening of population at community health centers, private health sectors and engaging non-government organizations for awareness in the community can help in early diagnosis of HIV. This may cause a reduction in the ocular manifestations in individuals with Human Immunodeficiency Virus.
Highlights
Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) has lead to the reduction of ocular diseases and opportunistic infections due to Human Immunodeficiency Virus [1, 2]
In the Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) era, 22 patients were detected to be Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive when they were evaluated for their ocular manifestation. 76 patients were aware of their HIV status
They were either referred from ART centers or private ophthalmologists. 52 patients were lost for follow up in the HAART era
Summary
Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) has lead to the reduction of ocular diseases and opportunistic infections due to Human Immunodeficiency Virus [1, 2]. In India, 56% of individuals living with HIV are on treatment [3]. A significant rise has been seen from 2013, where 36% of individuals living with HIV received treatment [10]. In the pre–HAART era, HAART therapy was not accessible to all due to the high cost of the drugs [4]. In the year 2000, due to the production of antiretroviral drugs by Indian generic manufacturers, the cost of the drugs has been reduced. It is accessible to all individuals living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus [4]
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