The acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a lethal multisystem disease. Its ocular manifestations have received relatively little attention in the literature. Between 73% and 100% of AIDS patients develop ocular lesions. The commonest lesions seen are retinal--either infectious or noninfectious retinopathy. Involvement of the conjunctiva with Kaposi's sarcoma, infected tears and infected cornea as well as the vitreous are less common. Infections with cytomegalovirus and varicella zoster virus are common causes of visual loss and can be treated with antiviral agents such as ganciclovir and foscarnet. This greatly increases the quality of life in these patients by preventing visual loss.
PIP: Ocular manifestations of AIDS, which occur in 73-100% of AIDS patients, are important to diagnose given their treatability. The most common AIDS-related ocular lesions are cotton wool spots and noninfectious retinopathies, cytomegalovirus retinitis, and conjunctival Kaposi's sarcoma. Less common are herpes zoster ophthalmicus, retinal toxoplasmosis, choroidal Pneumocystis carinii infection, herpes simplex and herpes zoster retinitis, and cryptococcal choroiditis. Administration of antiretroviral agents such as ganciclovir and foscarnet can prevent blindness, but their serious toxicity and the lack of oral preparations remain problematic.