Ocular Manifestations in Human Immunodeficiency Virus

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Bravian Samvict Devadas, Maj Premnath G, Shankar C, Shinisha Paul Bravian

Abstract

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) disease is a serious pandemic condition condition which affects all the the organs of the body. Ocular manifestations occoccur mostly during the late phase of the infection. The hallmark of thee disease is a decrease in the number of CD4+ T cells. The pThe patients are asymptomatic during the initial phases, followed by minimal symptoms like fever, weight loss, and oral thrush. The reduction in CD4+T cell level is directly proportionatete to the symptoms and severity of the disease. HIV infection is more common among sex workers and, drug abusers. 7070% of HIV-1 infections are due to heterosexual transmission. There is increased incidence of HIV infectionss in women, which translates to the the increased maternal- infant infection. The pThe patients with HIV infection remain asymptomatic during the early phase because of which of which its goes unnoticed. The aThe acute viral syndrome develops 2 to  to 4 weeks after the 1st exposure, the incubation period being 6 days to 6 weeks. The symptoms range fromrange from fever, myalgia, fatigue, headache, and weight loss. These symptoms lasted from 3 to 25 days. This article targets the manifestation of HIV in the eye for afor a better understanding ofing of the severity and progression of the disease. The ocular manifestations are seenseen in 82.6% of HIV infected patients. These manifestations are related to cell- mediated immunity, leading to risk of infection with bacteria, fungi, virus, and parasites and its incidence is different in children and adult. Children are found to are found to have lower incidence of retinitis but higher incidence of keratoconjunctivitis sicca. The immune status and CD4 cell count demonstratess various ocular complications in HIV patients. CD4 cell count of 500 leads to Kaposi’s sarcoma, lymphoma, and tuberculosis. A CD4 cell count less than 250 leads to Pneumocystosis, Retinal microvasculopathy, toxoplasmosis and CD4 cell count less than 100 causess KKeratoconjunctivitis sicca and retinitis. These These HIV  infected patients may present only with only ocular symptoms. Early and prompt and prompt diagnosis can aid in aggressive treatment and better prognosis of the disease. The the HIV  infected patients should be undergo thorough anterior segment examination byby Slit slit-lamp biomicroscopy and dilated fundus examination to rule out posterior segment pathology.

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