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Retinal Vascular Reactivity as Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography
Published on: March 26, 2020
Objective analysis of retinal function in HIV-positive children without retinitis using optical coherence tomography
Marilita M Moschos1, Glykeria Mostrou, Eleni Psimenidou
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of Athens, Greece. moschosmarilita@yahoo.fr
Ocular Immunology and Inflammation
|September 1, 2007
Summary
Children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease show significant thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer, even without vision problems or cytomegalovirus retinitis. This indicates early ocular changes in pediatric HIV patients.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Virology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can affect various organ systems, including the eyes.
- Ocular complications in pediatric HIV are a concern, even in the absence of opportunistic infections like cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis.
- Assessing subclinical ocular changes is crucial for monitoring disease progression and potential long-term visual health in children with HIV.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in children diagnosed with HIV.
- To determine if RNFL thinning occurs in HIV-positive children without visual symptoms or a history of CMV retinitis.
- To compare RNFL thickness between HIV-positive children and age-matched HIV-negative controls.
Main Methods:
- Prospective examination of 38 eyes from 19 HIV-positive children (Group A) with visual acuity ≥20/20 and no ophthalmoscopic abnormalities.
- Group A had no history of CMV retinitis and CD4 counts >100.
- Comparison with 40 eyes from 21 age-matched HIV-negative control subjects (Group B) using third-generation optical coherence tomography (OCT) to measure RNFL thickness.
- Collection of CD8 T-lymphocyte count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and serum beta-microglobulin levels.
Main Results:
- Mean overall RNFL thickness was significantly lower in HIV-positive children (89.2 ± 24.01 µm) compared to controls (102.82 ± 29.168 µm) (P < 0.0001).
- Significant thinning was observed in all measured retinal areas: temporal, nasal, superior, and inferior.
- The difference in RNFL thickness was statistically highly significant.
Conclusions:
- HIV-positive children experience significant RNFL thinning, irrespective of visual impairment or ophthalmologic evidence of retinitis.
- This finding suggests subclinical ocular damage occurring early in the course of pediatric HIV infection.
- RNFL assessment may serve as a sensitive indicator for ocular involvement in children with HIV.
