What You Should Know About AIDS and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Retinitis


About 75% of AIDS patients develop eye involvement of some sort. The retina, the light sensing tissue at the back of the eye, is the part of the eye most often affected. The most common vision-threatening infection of the retina is called cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis. CMV retinitis causes painless central or peripheral vision loss, which usually results in blindness if left untreated. However, aggressive systemic anti-HIV therapy, along with medications directed against the CMV virus, is often effective at preserving vision.
 
The retinal specialists at Bennett & Bloom Eye Centers are experienced in treating AIDS-related eye problems. We work as a team with you, your family and internist to develop a plan that best suits your lifestyle while effectively treating your problem. If you have been diagnosed as HIV positive, we urge you to schedule regular eye examinations. Although the perfect answer has yet to be discovered in this fight, the earlier we begin treatment the higher the rate of success. Read more.