The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Eyesight: HIV-infected need not lose hope

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Apr 22, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Eyesight: HIV-infected need not lose hope

Govind D. Belgaumkar

The incidence of CMV retinitis among HIV-infected persons is a major concern

BANGALORE: Most HIV-infected persons reach ophthalmologists when the vital parts of their eyes have been damaged beyond repair though most complications are preventable, say ophthalmologists.

They end up spending the rest of their life without vision despite spending a lot of money.

Take the case of Vijaya Vittal (name changed) from Goa. He came to Narayana Nethralaya with retinal infection a year ago.

A Forest Department official, he had tuberculosis and his eyes showed signs of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, an infection that has a tendency to affect the retina.

The incidence of this disease among the HIV-infected is a major concern. This is because the immunity level of the HIV-infected is low and its cure is directly proportional to the recovery of the immune system.

Even this very process of recovery causes inflammation at the site of the infection.

Despite months of treatment, the continued weakness of the immune system led to the loss of Mr. Vijaya Vittal's vision. HIV infected persons can, however, prevent the loss of eyesight if they follow a rigid schedule in checking their immunity levels and are under the care of a reliable eye specialist from the beginning.

Unfortunately, there have been instances when doctors have misdiagnosed the symptoms, said Rajesh Babu B., Ocular Immunology and Infectious Diseases consultant, Narayana Nethralaya, Bangalore. The lack of competent ophthalmologists, experienced in handling HIV/AIDS patients in remote areas, is another drawback.

Dr. Rajesh Babu suggests that the HIV-infected persons should choose a reliable diagnostic laboratory.

This is important considering that three-quarters of those infected by HIV are in the productive age group of 20-50 years. In general, the treatment of HIV-related eye diseases such as CMV retinitis cost around Rs. 32,000 for a 14-day course. Extended treatment means more money.

Free treatment

The NGOs working with AIDS patients prefer to send them to the Government-run Minto Ophthalmic Hospital, which offers free treatment and to Vittal Eye Hospital in Jayanagar, which subsidises treatment. Narayana Nethralaya is the latest entrant in the field. It has set up a foundation to treat HIV-infected persons free of cost.

Additional Director of Narayana Nethralaya and neuro-ophthalmologist Rohit Shetty told The Hindu that patients with HIV could walk into the hospital and avail themselves of free services.

(Concluded)

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