Ophthalmology Research: An International Journal

Background: HIV and its complication AIDS was a source of serious public health concern that greeted the end of the 20^th century. Being a multi-systemic disease, it was also associated with different forms of ocular morbidities of interest. 

Purpose: To determine the prevalence, patterns and determinants of HIV related eye diseases in patients attending anti-retroviral clinics in Katsina state, Nigeria.

Methods: Two hundred and twenty subjects met the inclusion criteria over a six month period. A questionnaire was administered for socio-demographic data, patients’ history, record review and a detailed ophthalmic examination. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20. Parametric and non-parametric assessments were used to assess the relationship of various factors with manifestation of HIV associated eye diseases.

Results: Out of 220 respondents, 164 were females. The Male: Female was 1:2.9. The mean age was 28.5 years ± 14.83 SD.  About 65.5% of respondents had eye diseases while 46.4% had HIV associated eye diseases. Prevalence of HIV associated eye diseases was found to be 46.4%. The most common types of eye diseases found were Kerato-conjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) 25.5%, conjunctivitis 5.5%, herpes zoster ophthalmicus 3.2%, anterior uveitis 2.7% and molluscum contagiosum 2.3%. Factors found to affect the manifestation of these eye diseases were CD4 cell count, WHO Clinical Stage of the disease and the Presence of eye symptoms.

Conclusion: The study showed a high prevalence of HIV associated eye disease. The Patient’s clinical/WHO stage, CD4 cell count and presence of ocular symptoms were shown to have significant association with the ocular manifestation.