Ocular Manifestations in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Patients in the Pre-HAART and HAART Era

The human immunodeficiency virus infection causes a wide range of ocular manifestations. It is a growing concern in the developing countries. Now, the government provides the highly active antiretroviral therapy free of cost. But ocular manifestations continue to arise in patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection. Hence a comparitive analysis of the disease pattern is important in assessing the ocular manifestations in the pre–HAART and HAART era. The aim of this retrospective series is to analyse the ocular manifestations in Human Immunodeficiency Virus patients in the pre-HAART and HAART era This retrospective study includes Human Immunodeficiency Virus positive patients from the pre-Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) (1995-2000) and HAART era (2005-2017). Patients were assessed for the ocular manifestations. This study included 83 patients in the pre HAART era and 98 patients in the HAART era. Cytomegalovirus retinitis was the most common ocular manifestation in the pre-HAART and the HAART era. Inspite of free availability of the antiretroviral therapy, the results of our study has not shown a reduction in the ocular manifestations in the HAART era. Awareness among the high risk population, screening of population at community health centers, private health sectors and engaging non-government organizations for awareness in the community can help in early diagnosis of HIV. This may cause a reduction in the ocular manifestations in individuals with Human Immunodeficiency Virus.