[Ocular manifestations in human immunodeficiency virus seropositive patients]

Ocular manifestations in 56 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive patients were examined prospectively. Eighteen of them had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), 14 had AIDS-related complex (ARC), and 30 were asymptomatic carriers (AC). Two AIDS patients progressed from ARC and four ARC patients from AC. Seventy-two percent of AIDS patients had ocular manifestations, including cotton-wool spots (28%), retinal hemorrhages (44%), cytomegalovirus retinitis (28%) and papilledema (6%). We also found ocular signs in 50% of ARC patients and 40% of AC patients. Since ophthalmologic manifestations are common in HIV seropositive patients, it is necessary for them to undergo a routine series of ophthalmologic examinations.