Ocular manifestations in HIV-AIDS patients in a Nigerian community

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the ocular manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) among the study population.

Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among HIV-AIDS patients at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, Nigeria. Ethics clearance was obtained from the ethics review committee of the hospital. Informed consent was obtained from all the respondents. This study was conducted over a period of nine months, from October 2010-June 2011, at the medical outpatient centre and the eye clinic of the hospital. The obtained information included the socio-demographics of the respondents, World Health Organization clinical stage of AIDS, CD4 count, duration of HIV-positive status, history of ocular problems and the treatment sought.

Results: A total of 112 consenting respondents participated in this study. Not many respondents (36, 32.1%) were aware of eye complications that relate to HIV-AIDS. Most informed respondents had been enlightened by health workers (20, 55.6%). Few respondents (16, 14.3%) had HIV-AIDS ocular manifestations. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common ocular manifestation.

Conclusion: Efforts should be made to promote the ocular health of HIV-AIDS patients to prevent blinding ocular manifestation.