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
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.
