Bilateral ischemic maculopathy in a patient with AIDS

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Infectious Diseases
• Retinal Vascular Diseases

Background:

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can lead to various ocular complications.
• Assessing visual disturbances in immunocompromised patients is crucial for timely intervention.

Observation:

• A 44-year-old HIV-positive woman presented with acute bilateral decreased vision.
• Ophthalmic examination revealed pale maculae and retinal vascular tortuosity.
• Fluorescein angiography demonstrated enlarged foveal avascular zones and perifoveal leakage.

Findings:

• The patient's presentation was consistent with ischemic maculopathy.
• This diagnosis was made despite evidence of immune recovery in the HIV-positive patient.
• Ischemic maculopathy was identified as a cause of sudden bilateral vision decrease.

Implications:

• Ischemic maculopathy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of vision loss in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients.
• Early detection and management can lead to significant visual recovery.
• The condition's reversibility is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of excluding other ocular pathologies.