Ophthalmic Manifestations In HIV Patients- A Case Series Study From North India

Background:The ophthalmological problems occur in approximately half of the patients with advanced HIV infection when the CD4 T cell count is usually well below 50/ul and the increasing number and prolonged survival of AIDS patients means that the ocular lesions associated with this syndrome will become more frequent problem. Material And Methods:This was a case series study with no controls. All HIV positive patients were included in this study with or without ocular involvement.50 known HIV positive cases attending OPD and/or admitted in GM and Associated Hospitals, KGMC, and who were willing to take part in study were enrolled after proper counselling.Detail history of the cases is taken including personal data, occupation, history of any risk factor, detail history of systemic disease and ocular symptom with their duration and course.Results:In our study 33 patients did not have ocular symptoms and signs and the remaining 17 patients were found to have ocular involvement. Among them 6 patients were asymptomatic, but they had ocular signs. Amongst various symptoms 7 patients presented with diminution of vision, one had headache, other visual symptoms including watering itching and foreign body sensation were found in 5 patients. Conclusion:More than half of the cases in this study were either illiterate or had attended primary schooling and mostly from rural area. In view of this there is a need to intensify primary health education programme and awareness about AIDS through mass media and education regarding adaptation of safe sexual practices. The role of Govt. program and various NGOs has become more important in this respect to restrict this 21stcentury epidemic.