Pattern of Ocular Manifestation of HIV/ AIDS among Patients on HAART in ART Clinic of Gondar University Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: The ocular manifestations of HIV may lead to visual impairment or blindness. In Ethiopia, patients typically initiate antiretroviral treatment (ART) with low CD4 cell counts when the risk of ocular complications may be high. Objective: To determine the prevalence and types of HIV associated ocular conditions in patients referred for on HAART in Ethiopia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was undertaken between March 2010 and August 2010 at the ART clinic of Gondar University Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. Ophthalmic examinations were performed on all consecutive patients satisfying the criteria for enrolment into the ART clinic irrespective of the presence or absence of ophthalmic/visual symptoms. Results: Enrolled patients (n = 126), of these 70 (57.6%) were females with male to female ratio of 1:1.25 and had a median CD4 cell count of 183 cell/μL (inter-quartile range [IQR], 105-253 cells/μL). About 76.2% of the patients had either Stage I or II. Ninety one (72.3%) of the patients had a CD4 count more than 200 cells/μL at the time of examination. The prevalence of HIV-associated ocular disease was 21.4%. Retinal Microvasculopathy was the commonest finding seen in 9 (7%). The other ocular manifestations noted included: uveitis 4 (3.2%), ophthalmic Herpes Zoster 3 (2.4%), Seborrheic blepharitis 3 (2.4%) and Molluscum contagiosum 3 (2.4%). One patient was found to have disseminated Kaposi sarcoma that had involved the eyelids. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that HIV/AIDS affects the eyes patients on HAART. It is, hence, recommended that eye care should be a part of the package of medical care in the management of patients on HAART.