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Optic nerve head morphology and visual field function in patients with AIDS and without infectious retinitis
Igor Kozak1, Alka Ahuja, Sapna Gangaputra
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of California San Diego, Jacobs Retina Center at Shiley Eye Center, La Jolla, California 92037, USA. ikozak@eyecenter.ucsd.edu
Ocular Immunology and Inflammation
|June 16, 2012
Summary
This study found minimal optic nerve head changes but no visual field decline in AIDS patients without retinitis over five years, suggesting stable vision in this cohort.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Virology
- Public Health
Background:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) can affect ocular health.
- Evaluating optic nerve head (ONH) and visual field (VF) changes is crucial for monitoring AIDS patients.
- This study focuses on patients without active retinitis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the morphology of the optic nerve head (ONH).
- To evaluate visual field (VF) performance.
- To investigate these parameters in patients with AIDS but no retinitis.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, multicenter study involving 246 AIDS patients without retinitis.
- Analysis of stereo fundus photographs for ONH morphology (vertical cup-to-disc ratio, CDR).
- Serial visual field (VF) testing over 5 years, analyzing mean deviation and pattern standard deviation.
Main Results:
- Median vertical cup-to-disc ratio (CDR) remained stable (0.39 to 0.40) over 5 years.
- A statistically significant, but clinically minimal, mean increase in CDR of 0.004 was observed (P=0.04).
- No statistically significant changes in visual field (VF) performance were detected after adjusting for practice effects.
Conclusions:
- Clinically minimal, yet statistically significant, changes in optic nerve head (ONH) morphology were noted.
- Visual field (VF) performance remained stable in AIDS patients without retinitis over the 5-year study period.
- These findings indicate stable visual function in this specific patient group.
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