A study of eye complications and causes of blindness and in patients initially diagnosed with AIDS in Shanghai

Objective To study the eye complication situation of patients initially diagnosed with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS); to analyze the main factors that cause damage to eyesight; and to provide a basis for the prevention and control of damage to vision in Shanghai.Methods This was a cross-sectional investigation.A cohort study of patients initially diagnosed with AIDS was conducted in the Shanghai public health clinic center from March 2011 to February 2012.The patients underwent a full and thorough set of ophthalmology examinations.Natural and best corrected distance vision were tested with a Snellen chart.The anterior segment and fundus were examined by slit lamp microscopy and direct ophthalmoscopy.The data were input in compliance with the WHO visual impairment standard classification,and the causes of blindness and low vision damage were analyzed.The data were collected and measured by percentage,and analyzed with a chi-square test.Results Among 358 patients initially diagnosed with AIDS,286 patients (79％)signed an informed consent to allow the eye clinic to examine them.Of the 286 patients,58.4％ had ocular complications.The highest incidence was 36.01％ for dry eyes,the second highest was 19.9％for conjunctivitis and the third was 8.39％ for cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR).The leading cause of blindness was 40％ from CMVR and the second leading causes were 30％ from retinal microvascular lesions (HIVM) and glaucoma.The rate of blindness increased with a CD4+T lymphocyte level less than 250 cells/μl.Conclusion The ocular complications in patients initially diagnosed with AIDS in Shanghai are higher than in the United States and other countries.CMVR was the main reason for damage to eyesight.It is recommended to move more quickly to establish a reliable CMVR screening and treatment network to improve the quality of life of AIDS patients. Key words: AIDS ;  Initinal diagnosed ;  Ocular complication ;  Blindness