Ocular Manifestations of HIV/AIDS patients in Gondar University Hospital, north west Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract
Background: AIDS is a disease with protean clinical manifestations that leave no organ of its victim unaffected. Ocular
involvement in HIV/AIDS cases occurs in about 70% of patients. However, data regarding eye manifestations in
HIV/AIDS patients in Ethiopia remain scarce.
Objective: To describe the ocular manifestations of HIV/AIDS documented at Gondar University Hospital.
Methods: A cross-sectional clinical evaluation of HIV/AIDS patients at Gondar Hospital University was undertaken
between Jan and June 2004.
Results: One hundred and twenty five adult patients were enrolled in the Hospital from January to June 2004. The
majority were males (N=69) and the mean age was 34 (range: 16-80 years). About 90% of the patients were in clinical
stages III & IV determined according to the WHO clinical staging method in resource limited areas and 60% of them
had at least one ocular manifestation. The ocular manifestations noted included: retinal microvasculopathy (24%),
neuro-opthalmic disorders (9.6%), uveitis (7.4%), ophthalmic Herpes Zoster (5.6%), Molluscum contageousum (4.8%),
and Conjunctival carcinoma (4%). One patient was found to have bilateral blindness due to CMV retinitis, while
unilateral blindness was observed in six patients.
Conclusion: The study demonstrates that HIV/AIDS affects the eyes of a significant proportion of patients. It is, hence,
recommended that eye care should be a part of the package of medical care in the management of HIV/AIDS
patients. [Ethiop.J.Health Dev. 2006;20(3):166-169]