How does AIDS affect the eye?
• Cotton Wool Spots: The most common eye problem from AIDS doesn’t threaten vision. Your eye has an inner layer called the retina, which sends images to the brain and helps us see. AIDS can cause tiny amounts of bleeding and white spots in the retina. These white spots are called “cotton wool spots” because of the way they look. • CMV Retinitis: A serious eye infection of the retina is caused by CMV, the Cytomegalovirus (CMV). About 20–30% of people with AIDS have CMV. Most infections happen when the number of T–cells gets dangerously low, usually under 40. CMV can harm your vision permanently. Call an ophthalmologist right away if you see: • Floating spots or “Spiderwebs”. • Flashing lights. • Blind spots or blurred vision. • Red Eye: People with AIDS sometimes have red eyes, infections which last for a long time. A disease called shingles can occur more commonly in people with HIV. • Detached Retina: Sometimes CMV causes the retina to separate from the back of the eye. A detached ret
