HIV & Eye Problems

The human immunodeficiency virus or HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system eventually causing it to fail. In some causes HIV can turn into acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS. HIV can be contracted through bodily fluids such as blood, breast milk, semen, vaginal excretions or pre-ejaculate. People with HIV are extremely prone to infection because of their failing immune system.

HIV

• HIV breaks down the body's immune system causing the body to be susceptible to numerous infections that a healthy person's immune system could easily fight off. HIV patients can get infections through any body opening or cut. It is not uncommon for HIV patients to get eye infections. AIDs usually occurs many years after HIV has been contracted. AIDS develops when the immune system can no longer function properly to keep a person's body healthy.

Eye problems

• Eye problems that people with HIV typical get are cotton wool spots, CMV retinitis, Toxoplasma Retinochoroiditis, neuro-ophthalmologic manifestations, detached retina and Kaposi's sarcoma. Cotton wool spots are tiny white spots that accumulate on the retina. While the cotton wool spots do not interfere with bleeding, they can occasionally bleed. CMV retinitis is caused by cytomegalovirus. Symptoms of CMV are vision loss, retina inflammation, floating spots, blurred vision, blind spots, flashes of light and bleeding. There is no cure for CMV but medication can help to slow its development. A detach occurs when CMV causes the retina to shift away from the back of the eye. Surgery is required to fix a detached retina, and if it is not fixed, major vision loss will occur. Kaposi's sarcoma is a tumor caused by human herpes virus 8 (HHV8) that can develop into cancer. Kaposi's sarcoma can be found in the eyes of people with HIV; it can also develop on the skin, mouth, respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal tract. This cancer shows up as red or purple lacerations that form on the eyelids, or a thin, see-through membrane that covers the whites of the eyes and is red or flesh colored. People who have HIV should be extremely careful of their eyes and should continue to get regular check-ups to prevent permanent vision loss.