Optical coherence tomography and multifocal electroretinogram study in human immunodeficiency virus‐positive children without infectious retinitis

Abstract

Background: The aim was to evaluate the macular structure and function in children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease without cytomegalovirus retinitis or visual symptoms.Methods: Thirty‐eight eyes of 19 HIV‐positive children (Group A) were examined. Group B included 20 (40 eyes) age‐ and sex‐matched control subjects. Each individual underwent a complete ophthalmic examination, optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan and multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG) recording.Results: In all patients, visual acuity and colour vision testing were normal. The mean foveal thickness in groups A and B was 190.28 ± 26.58 (SD) µm and 169.47 ± 10.17 µm, respectively (p = 0.0002). In Group A, the mean retinal response density of the fovea (area 1) was 19.87 ± 10.16-nV/deg2 and the latency was 38.56 ± 1.18-ms. In the parafoveal area (area 2), the mean retinal response density was 10.82 ± 2.34-nV/deg2 and the mean latency was 36.52 ± 1.73-ms. In the perifoveal area (area 3), the mean retinal response density was 10.83 ± 0.90-nV/deg2 and the mean latency was 36.36 ± 1.90-ms. In Group B, the mean retinal response density of area 1 was 22.02 ± 0.9-nV/deg2 and the mean latency was 32.56 ± 1.25-ms. In area 2, the mean retinal response density was 12.23 ± 0.55-nV/deg2 and the mean latency was 30.84 ±1.22-ms. Finally, in the perifoveal area (area 3), the mean retinal response density was 12.74 ± 0.44-nV/deg2 and the mean latency was 29.7 ± 11.09-ms. The differences in amplitude and latency were statistically significant.Conclusion: Increased foveal thickening and significant decrease of the electrical activity of areas 1, 2 and 3 were found in HIV‐positive children. These findings suggested some subclinical dysfunction of the photoreceptors and the inner retinal layers of the fovea in HIV‐positive children with normal vision and without ocular disease.