Community Eye Health Journal (Jan 2003)
Managing CMV Retinitis in the Developing World
Abstract
Cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR) is a major opportunistic complication of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). In the developed world, prior to the availability of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), it was estimated that about 30% of patients with AIDS would develop CMVR during their lifetime. However, since the introduction of HAART, the incidence of CMVR has declined significantly in these countries. By far the most valuable intervention in the treatment of CMVR is the treatment of the underlying HIV disease with HAART. HAART is unfortunately not widely available in the developing world and it is here that the AIDS epidemic is continuing to grow. Sub-Saharan Africa leads the world with 25.3 million infected individuals with South-east Asia (5.8 million cases) the next area of concern. In South Africa alone there are an estimated 5 million people living with HIV/AIDS, most of whom are not receiving HAART.
