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Current status of HIV infection and ocular disease

Nicholas J Butler1, Jennifer E Thorne

  • 1Division of Ocular Immunology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Current Opinion in Ophthalmology
|October 11, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has changed HIV/AIDS ocular complications, but challenges like cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis persist, especially in advanced disease. Further research is needed on ocular syphilis and neuroretinal disorders in HIV patients.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Ocular complications remain a significant challenge for individuals with HIV/AIDS, despite advances in treatment.
  • The landscape of HIV/AIDS-related eye disease has evolved with the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an updated review of ocular complications in HIV/AIDS patients.
  • To focus on recent literature (past 12-18 months) concerning these challenges.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies (past 12-18 months).
  • Analysis of current epidemiological data and clinical findings.

Main Results:

  • Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis incidence has decreased but remains a threat, particularly in patients with CD4 counts below 50 cells/μL.
  • HIV patients may have an increased risk of posterior syphilitic uveitis.
  • New ophthalmic imaging is revealing structural alterations in HIV-associated neuroretinal disorders.

Conclusions:

  • Future efforts must identify additional risk factors for CMV retinitis.
  • Further investigation into ocular syphilis and other infections in HIV patients is crucial.
  • Understanding neuroretinal disorder structural changes can indicate other end-organ damage.
Abstract

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