Current status of retinal detachement in AIDS patients

Cytomegalovirus retinitis is the most common opportunistic ocular infection in patients with AIDS affecting 30 to 40% of the patients. II usually occu rs in patients in the terminal stage of the disease presenting with low CD4 + count (<50/mm(3)). Retinal detachment (RD) is a frequent complication of this disease, with an incidence varying from 18% to 29%. Risk factors for d evelopment of rhegmatogenous RD in patients with CMV retinitis were periphe ral involvement greater than 25%, the presence of active retinitis, greater patient age and lower CD4+ cell counts. Multiple or single holes, as well as micro holes, were observed in areas of retinal necrosis leading to compl ex retinal detachments. Strong vitreoretinal adherences in these young pati ents, associated with chronic inflammation, were important elements in the pathophysiology of retinal detachment in AIDS patients. For localized RD, d emarcating laser photo-coagulation may delayed or avoided vitreoretinal sur gery. For RD with macula off, good anatomical results have been obtained by repairing CMV retinitis-related retinal detachments using primary vitrecto my and instillation of silicone oil. Despite goad anatomical results, poor long term functional results are related to optic atrophy. Since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), ret inal detachment incidence has nevertheless dramatically decreased. Under HA ART, CMV retinitis remains quiescent for long periods of time with a reduct ion of retinal detachment incidence of approximately 77%. For some patients on HAART, retinal reattachment can be obtained using vitrectomy, posterior hyaloid removal, and intraocular tamponade with SF-6 gas.