Which clinical history findings are characteristic of cytomegalovirus retinitis in HIV infection?

Answer

Patients with CMV retinitis typically complain of floaters, photopsias, or visual loss, without associated eye pain or injection. Patients tend to have good vision at diagnosis of CMV retinitis.

Often, minimal anterior chamber reaction is present. The characteristic lesions tend to be single or multiple with a granular irregular feathery border associated with retinal edema and necrosis. Associated intraretinal hemorrhage may or may not be present initially. Over time, the lesions of CMV retinitis may coalesce with a full-thickness retinal whitening often associated with intraretinal hemorrhage.

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Luca Rosignoli, MD Resident Physician, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Joe R and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Leen Saad Azeez, MS MD Candidate, UT Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jeong-Hyeon Sohn, MD Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Chief, Retina Division, Director, Surgical Retina and Vitreous Fellowship Program, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Joe R and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine; Medical Director, TDI Ophthalmology Clinic, Department of Ophthalmology, UT Health San Antonio

Jeong-Hyeon Sohn, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, American Society of Retina Specialists, American Uveitis Society, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

R Christopher Walton, MD Adjunct Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

R Christopher Walton, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Uveitis Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Andrew A Dahl, MD, FACS Assistant Professor of Surgery (Ophthalmology), New York College of Medicine (NYCOM); Director of Residency Ophthalmology Training, The Institute for Family Health and Mid-Hudson Family Practice Residency Program; Staff Ophthalmologist, Telluride Medical Center

Andrew A Dahl, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, American Intraocular Lens Society, American Medical Association, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, Medical Society of the State of New York, New York State Ophthalmological Society, Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Robert A Copeland, Jr, MD † Chair, Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Howard University College of Medicine

Robert A Copeland, Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Brian A Phillpotts, MD Ophthalmologist, St Luke's Cataract and Laser Institute

Brian A Phillpotts, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Diabetes Association, American Society of Retina Specialists, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Which clinical history findings are characteristic of cytomegalovirus retinitis in HIV infection?

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