ArticlePloS one2013
Retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and contrast sensitivity in HIV-infected individuals in South Africa: a case-control study.
Article in PloS one, 2013. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 15 papers.
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Who cites it
15 citing papers in PubMed, 32 citations in OpenAlex.
- Proof-of-concept study on Bruch's membrane opening minimum rim width (BMO-MRW) and optic nerve head morphology in people living with HIV.BMC ophthalmology · 2025Article
- Inflammatory mechanisms contributing to retinal alterations in HIV infection and long-term ART.Southern African journal of HIV medicine · 2024Review
- Significant loss of retinal nerve fibre layer and contrast sensitivity in people with well controlled HIV disease: implications for aging with HIV.Frontiers in ophthalmology · 2023Article
- Development of retinal structure in perinatally HIV-infected children and adolescents: A longitudinal and cross-sectional assessment.PloS one · 2023Article
- Functioning Problems Associated with Health Conditions with Greatest Disease Burden in South Africa: A Scoping Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Article
- Assessing contrast sensitivity change in retinal diseases with use of yellow-amber NoIR glasses.Indian journal of ophthalmology · 2022Article
- Ocular manifestations and refractive errors among people living with HIV in Pune, India: a cross-sectional study.The Journal of international medical research · 2021Article
- The long-term effect of human immunodeficiency virus infection on retinal microvasculature and the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer: an OCT angiography study.Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie · 2020Article
- Observational
- Article
- Retinal nerve fiber layer changes based on historic CD4 nadir among HIV positive patients undergoing glaucoma evaluation.International journal of ophthalmology · 2019Article
- Retinal Parameters as Compared with Head Circumference, Height, Weight, and Body Mass Index in Children in Kenya and Bhutan.The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene · 2018Article
- Study of Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer Thickness and Visual Contrast Sensitivity in HIV Positive Individuals.Journal of clinical and diagnostic research : JCDR · 2017Article
- Article
- The role of optical coherence tomography in therapeutics and conditions, which primarily have systemic manifestations: a narrative review.Therapeutic advances in ophthalmologyReview
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 2 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundAntiretroviral treatment (ART) has altered the spectrum of HIV-related eye disease, resulting in a lower prevalence of retinal opportunistic infections (OIs). However, abnormalities in visual function have been reported in HIV-infected individuals despite effective viral suppression and the absence of retinal OIs. These changes may be mediated by an HIV-associated 'neuroretinal disorder', characterized by changes in the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL). HIV infection may also be associated with accelerated biological aging. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between contrast sensitivity, RNFL thickness, HIV infection and frailty in South African adults.
methodsCase-control study of 225 HIV-infected individuals without retinal OIs and 203 gender/age-matched HIV-seronegative individuals. Peri-papillary RNFL thickness was determined with spectral domain optical coherence tomography in four quadrants. CS was measured using a Pelli-Robson chart. Frailty was assessed using standard criteria. Multivariable linear and logistic regression were used to assess associations between HIV status and RNFL/CS and frailty.
resultsThe median age of both groups was similar (41.2 vs. 41.9 years, p = 0.37). 88% of HIV-infected individuals were receiving ART and their median CD4 count was 468 cells/μl. Adjusted CS score was lower in HIV-infected participants compared to HIV-seronegative individuals (1.76 vs. 1.82, p = 0.002). Independent predictors of poor CS in the HIV-infected group were positive frailty status and current HIV viral load >2 log copies/ml. Lower CS score was also associated with thin temporal RNFL in HIV-infected individuals (p = 0.04). Superior quadrant RNFL thickness was greatest in ART-naïve participants relative to the HIV-uninfected group (p-trend = 0.04). Longer ART duration was associated with thinning of inferior and nasal RNFL quadrants (p-trend = 0.03 and 0.04, respectively).
conclusionsContrast sensitivity is reduced in HIV-infected individuals and functionally associated with frailty and unsuppressed viraemia. This may reflect structural changes in the RNFL that are evident despite the absence of OIs.
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