Functional and structural neuroretinal disorders in HIV Controllers. Prospective cohort study

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and cumulative incidence of neuro-retinal-disorders (NRD) in HIV-controllers.

Design: Prospective, single-centre, cohort study of people living with HIV (PLWH): elite-controllers, long-term-non-progressors and early diagnosed.

Methods: The study compared “HIV-controllers” (including elite-controllers and long-term-non-progressors), who were not on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and “HIV-treatment” (HIV-infected subjects with a recent diagnosis and on ART). A matched cohort of “non-HIV subjects” was created. NRD was defined as at least one altered (not normal) ophthalmological parameter (functional or structural). Functional (visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, chromatic vision, visual field) and structural parameters (ganglion cells, macular nerve fibre layer, peripapillary nerve fibre layers, vascular calibre) as well as quality of life (Medical Outcomes Study-HIV Short Form-30) were assessed.