Impairment of tritan colour vision after initiation of treatment with zidovudine in patients with HIV disease or AIDS

Zidovudine (3' -azido-2' ,3' dideoxythymidinc) is a drug with provcd antihuman immunodeficicncy virus (HIV) reverse trasscriptase activity. It has bcen clearly demonstrated that thc bcnefits of zidovudinc outwcigb the risks of its usc. H Different adversc effeets have bcen reponed for zidovudine, including anacmia, neutropenia. nausea, vomiting, myalgias, abnormalities of livcr funetion, bluish nail pigmentation, headachcs, myositis, and trichiasis." Colom vision deficits have bcen reponed for patients with AIDS or HIV disease," and it has been shown that this defect is most prominent for tritan vision. ' The patbogencsis of eolour vision defieits in patients with HIV disease remains unclear. We wish to repon the occurrenee of a temporary decrease in tritan colour contrast sensitivity in two patients with HIV disease starting or restarting treaunent with zidovudine.