Analysis and Outcomes of Cataract Surgery in Patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

To investigate the surgical outcomes, complications and postoperative progression in HIV patients undergoing cataract surgery in a teaching hospital.

A retrospective cohort study of patients with HIV/AIDS who had cataract surgery from January 2000 until December 2011 at a tertiary referral multidisciplinary hospital in Singapore.

We identified 44 eyes from 29 patients. Preoperatively, 41.3% had no ophthalmic manifestations of HIV/AIDS, while 16 eyes had quiescent cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR). Postoperatively, 1 eye developed new CMVR, while 1 eye had reactivation of previous CMVR. Of eyes with new or previous CMVR, 1 eye developed rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RD) postoperatively. Only 3 eyes had prolonged postoperative inflammation. There were no cases of endophthalmitis or cystoid macular edema. Postoperative improvement of at least two Snellen lines was achieved in 86.6% of eyes.

Cataract surgery in HIV patients is generally safe, regardless of CD4 count, but their general and ocular health should be optimized preoperatively.