Purpose: To describe an unusual and possibly new keratopathy in human immun
odeficiency virus (HIV)positive patients.
Design: Retrospective observational case series.
Participants: Six HIV-positive patients at four centers.
Methods: A complete medical history was obtained and a thorough ophthalmic
examination was performed on each of the patients.
Results: Each patient had bilaterally symmetrical keratopathy consisting of
variably pigmented round and reticular posterior intracorneal precipitates
at the level of Descemet's membrane. The precipitates were diffuse, but la
rger and more prominent near the limbus and finer toward the central cornea
. None of the eyes were inflamed, and all had normal vision. No patient had
uveitis on presentation or any history of cytomegalovirus retinitis.
Conclusion: These patients have a unique posterior keratopathy, which requi
res further investigation. Ophthalmology 2001;108:1853-1857 (C) 2001 by the
American Academy of Ophthalmology.