Ocular manifestations among HIV infected military personnel in Kenya

Abstract

Background: The eye is one of the commonly affected organs by I--lIV/ AIDS. However, data on HIV/ AIDS related ocular lesions among HIV infected military personnel is not available in Kenya. Objectives: To determine the magnitude, describe the pattern of 1IlV/ AIDS related ocular lesions and assess the visual impairment both in patients on HAART and those without HAART. Method: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted on H] V positive military personnel in Kenya. Consecutive HIV positive military personnel presenting to the Comprehensive Care Clinic, whether or not on HAART, were evaluated for ocular lesions over a two month period in the year 2008. Visual acuity was obtained with the use of a Snellen's chart. Both anterior and posterior segments were examined using a Haag Streit 900 slit lamp. Data was entered into a well structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 12.0. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total number of 228 (48 females and 180 males) with a mean age of 41.32 (±0.46) years were examined. The lowest CD4+ count was ranging from one to six hundred and eighty three cells per microlitre with a mean of 169.2 (±9.5). One hundred and sixty five (72.4%) participants had HIV related ocular lesions. Among the lesions conjunctival microvasculopathy (57%) was the most common adnexial finding while the most significant posterior segment finding was retinal Microangiopathy at 47.4 %.