Topics on this page include:

Cotton wool spots | CMV retinitis | Red eye | Detached retina | Kaposi's sarcoma

AIDS is a serious autoimmune disease. There are a number of eye problems associated with AIDS, some more serious than others. It is important for HIV-positive patients and AIDS patients to have regular eye checkups to prevent vision loss.

Cotton wool spots

Cotton wool spots don't affect the vision of the AIDS patient. They are caused by a small amount of bleeding that causes white spots on the retina. They are called cotton wool spots because of the way they look.

If you are experiencing some of the symptoms described here, it does not necessarily mean you have Cotton Wool Spots. However, if you experience one or more of these symptoms, you should contact your eye doctor for a complete exam. Click here for information on emergency or immediate care.

CMV retinitis

CMV retinitis is a serious infection of the retina. It is caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV). Twenty to thirty percent of the people with AIDS have CMV retinitis. It develops when the patient's number of T cells drops below forty. CMV retinitis can harm the patient's vision permanently.

If AIDS patients develop any of the following symptoms, they should be checked by an ophthalmologist as soon as possible:

• floating spots or "spider webs"
• flashing lights
• blind spots
• blurred vision

There are drugs that can be used to fight CMV infections. These can slow the disease, but do not cure it. The earlier the disease is discovered, the greater the likelihood loss of sight can be prevented.

If you are experiencing some of the symptoms described here, it does not necessarily mean you have CMV retinitis. However, if you experience one or more of these symptoms, you should contact your eye doctor for a complete exam. Click here for information on emergency or immediate care.

Red eye

A number of AIDS patients have infections that redden their eyes. These infections tend to last for a long time in AIDS patients.

If you are experiencing some of the symptoms described here, it does not necessarily mean you have red eyes associated with AIDS. However, if you experience one or more of these symptoms, you should contact your eye doctor for a complete exam. Click here for information on emergency or immediate care.

Detached retina

CMV retinitis can cause the retina to separate from the back of the eye, which causes a severe vision loss. The patient must have surgery to reattach the retina.

If you are experiencing some of the symptoms described here, it does not necessarily mean you have a detached retina. However, if you experience one or more of these symptoms, you should contact your eye doctor for a complete exam. Click here for information on emergency or immediate care.

Kaposi's sarcoma

Kaposi's sarcoma is a tumor that looks like purple-red spots. It can look like a bump on the eyelid or a spot on the white part of the eye. Although it looks scary, it grows slowly and doesn't hurt the eye. Kaposi's sarcoma is treated with radiation, laser surgery, freezing, or surgery.

If you are experiencing some of the symptoms described here, it does not necessarily mean you have Kaposi's Sarcoma. However, if you experience one or more of these symptoms, you should contact your eye doctor for a complete exam. Click here for information on emergency or immediate care.