Nursing care of patients with ocular manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus infection.

With the rising incidence of AIDS in the United States, a larger number of patients with HIV-related infectious and noninfectious ocular conditions will inevitably occur. This necessitates that ophthalmic nurses have knowledge of HIV disease; resultant ophthalmic manifestations; treatment protocols, including unapproved therapies; community resources for persons with vision loss; social issues related to HIV; psychologic responses to the disease; and associated losses for patients and their families. This knowledge base will enable the nurse to recognize disease earlier, to educate patients and their families, to administer treatment, and to provide support to a population in critical need of nursing interventions.