[Ophthalmic manifestations in acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients with cryptococcal meningitis].

OBJECTIVE

Analysis ophthalmic manifestations in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients with cryptococcal meningitis.

METHODS

Retrospective study. Forty AIDS patients (including 32 men and 8 women) with cryptococcal meningitis were studied. The age of the patients varied from 11 to 67 years, average on (38 ± 12) years (mean ± standard deviation). All the patients underwent detailed ocular examinations including corrected visual acuity, eye movement, intraocular pressure, slit lamp microscope, indirect ophthalmoscope and color fundus photography. The CD4(+) T cell count was evaluated and Lumbar puncture was done to examine the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF). Eighteen patients were followed up for a period between 2 weeks to 4 years. Four patients died during hospitalization. The remaining 18 patients failed to be followed up due to moving away.

RESULTS

Binocular diplopia were present in 3 patients. It showed Binocular or monocular abducens nerve palsy. Papilledema were found in 37 eyes of 19 cases. One person had unilateral papilledema. Among 19 cases, 24 eyes of 12 cases were accompanied with peripapillary hemorrhages and 7 cases of 13 eyes without peripapillary hemorrhages. Optic atrophy occurs in 6 cases of 12 eyes and multifocal choroiditis in 2 cases of 4 eyes. Twenty-seven eyes of 14 patients had normal fundus or cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR) only.

CONCLUSIONS

AIDS patients with cryptococcal meningitis merger may be accompanied by a variety of eye complications. Papilledema are the most common manifestations.