HIV Infection - Primary Visual Pathways

A 29 year old right-handed HIV-positive man complained of bilateral blurred vision, gradual in onset and slowly progressive over one month. There were no associated symptoms and no history of ocular disease. He had had homosexual relations at age 22 and had used intravenous drugs once at age 1 8. Two years prior to presentation he was found to have a positive antibody response to the human immunodeficiency virus, but he had no signs or symptoms of the AIDS or ARC syndromes. The patient was not on any medications, had no unusual dietary habits, and had not been exposed to toxins. He smoked on pack of cigarettes per day and drank alcohol occasionally. There was no family history of ocular or neurological disease.