Presenting Features, Treatment and Clinical Outcomes of Cytomegalovirus Retinitis: Non-HIV Patients Vs HIV Patients

Purpose: To compare clinical features, complications, and outcomes of CMV retinitis in non-HIV immunocompromised patients with HIV infected patients. Methods: A retrospective study of patients diagnosed with CMV retinitis with or without HIV infection was performed. Results: Thirty-five eyes from 27 patients (median follow up 26 months) were included. Six patients had HIV infection, the others were immunocompromised from a range of causes. The baseline visual acuity (VA) was similar in the two groups. Prevalence of different types of retinitis (fulminant/indolent) was similar in the two groups. Presence of vitreous haze ≥1+ (p = .041), presence of arteritis, (p = .016) and widespread vascular occlusion (p = .003) were more common in the non-HIV group. Conclusion: CMV retinitis can present with different features depending on the cause of immunocompromise. Evidence of intraocular inflammation such as vitritis, retinal arteritis, and vascular occlusions was more common in HIV-negative subjects.