Eye Complications of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Abstract

Part 1. Ocular surface and anterior segment manifestations

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is the leading cause of sickness and death among young adults in developing countries. The introduction of highly active anti-retroretroviral therapy (HAART) has changed the epidemiology of AIDS from being a universally fatal illness to a chronic debilitating infection attended by multi-organ complications. Improved survival as a result of HAART has lead to increase in systemic and ocular complications as well as the appearance of syndromes related to immune reconstitution. HIV associated eye disease now occurs in 50-90% of patients at one point in the course of their illness. Loss of sight is a feared complication because of its impact on the management of the systemic disease and the additional distress experienced by the patient who now has to rely on others for assistance with activities of daily living. This paper reviews anterior segment and external ocular disorders associated with AIDS in an effort to improve understanding of this disorder and facilitate early detection, referral and care of those presenting to any level of the health delivery system in South Sudan.