Ocular Manifestations in Patients with HIV infection

To evaluate the characteristics and incidence of ophthalmic manifestations in patients with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection.

A retrospective evaluation of medical records of 147 patients with HIV infection (22 female, 125 male), the average age of 41 (range 22-79 years) examined by an ophthalmologist at the Clinic of Ophthalmology at the University Hospital Ostrava in years 1987 - 2015.

Ophthalmic manifestations of HIV were observed in 16 patients (11.9 %). There was not observed ocular involvement in patients in asymptomatic stage of HIV infection. Ophthalmic complications were observed in 1 patients (0.7 %) in early symptomatic stage and 15 patients (10.2 %) with stage AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). The most frequent ocular symptoms were caused by the virus (HIV retinopathy, mikroangiopathy) - total of 13 infected (76.5 %). Three patients had opportunity infections (17.6 %). As a result of the underlying AIDS disease 5 patients died. Ocular findings were observed at 2 of those (40.0 %).

Ocular manifestation are common finding in late stages of HIV infection. Ophthalmic examination is an integral part of the diagnostic algorithm of patients with HIV infection. Most frequently, ocular symptoms have been found within the group of patients with advanced part of disease, which is in relation with the body´s immune defense decrease thus death itself.