Condition Lookup

Start typing to search for a specific condition, or select a specialty to see all of its conditions

Category:

HIV and Vision

Number of Conditions: 1

Ocular Manifestations of HIV Infection

Specialty: Infectious Diseases

Category: HIV and Vision

Symptoms:
blurred vision; floaters; pain or redness in the eye; vision loss; light sensitivity; double vision

Root Cause:
Direct HIV effects, opportunistic infections (e.g., cytomegalovirus retinitis), or immune recovery uveitis causing inflammation or damage to the eye structures.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Comprehensive eye examination, including dilated fundoscopic examination, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and imaging studies. Laboratory tests to confirm opportunistic infections.

Treatment:
Treatment depends on the cause, including ART for HIV control, antiviral medications for infections (e.g., ganciclovir for CMV), corticosteroids for inflammation, and laser therapy for retinal detachment.

Medications:
Ganciclovir (antiviral) for CMV retinitis, valganciclovir (oral antiviral), and corticosteroid eye drops for immune-mediated inflammation.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Up to 50% of untreated HIV patients experience ocular complications, though rates are lower with effective ART.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Advanced HIV, low CD4 counts, untreated opportunistic infections, and lack of access to ART.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Effective ART reduces incidence; prompt diagnosis and treatment of infections improve outcomes, though some complications may lead to permanent vision loss.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Permanent vision impairment, blindness, retinal detachment, and decreased quality of life.