Delayed diagnosis of HIV infection in ophthalmic practice

The introduction of potent antiretroviral drug combinations has transformed human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency disease syndrome (HIV/AIDS) from an intractable and rapidly fatal disease to a chronic manageable illness with prolonged life survival for many patients. This paper discusses the ophthalmic and medical histories of two young female patients who presented with 'atypical' optic neuropathy and toxoplasma gondii retinochoroiditis and were later found to be HIV infected. We discuss the need for increased vigilance in the ophthalmic community for suspecting HIV infection to allow optimal management of the ophthalmic and systemic manifestations of the disease spectrum associated with HIV/AIDS.