Posterior segment manifestations of hiv-aids

Ocular manifestations of HIV/AIDS are primarily due to the opportunistic infections and neoplasias that accompany the syndrome. The HIV virus has been found in the tear film and other ocular structures such as the cornea, vitreous and chorioretinal tissue.In spite of the widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in the industrialized world, ocular manifestations of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) at some point affect 50–75% of infected persons worldwide. Ocular manifestations can occur in up to 50% of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients and posterior segment involvement is the most common presentation. The posterior segment manifestations of AIDS can be divided into four categories: retinal vasculopathy, opportunistic infections, unusual malignancies and neuro-ophthalmologic abnormalities. Retinal microvasculopathy and cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis are the most common manifestations, even in the era of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART). Early detection of the ocular manifestations of HIV/AIDS is important because these ocular manifestations may be the primary presentation of the systemic infection.