Ocular manifestations of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Ophthalmologic findings in individuals with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are fairly common. A noninfectious microvasculopathy of the retina is the most frequent manifestation. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is the opportunistic infection most likely to cause visual loss and must be differentiated from toxoplasmosis or herpetic retinitis. Ganciclovir, foscarnet, and cidofovir are the agents available to slow the progression of CMV retinitis, but they have significant toxicities.