Optical coherence tomography: new opportunities for detecting preclinical vision disorders in patients with HIV infection and tuberculosis

The objective of the study : detection of early preclinical manifestations of vision disorders in patients with TB/HIV co-infection using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Subjects and methods . A prospective open-label study was carried out enrolling patients with TB/HIV co-infection (Group 1, n = 19) and patients with pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis (Group 2, n = 18). In both groups, standard ophthalmological examination and OCT were performed with measurement of the thickness of the choroid and the diameter of upper and lower temporal and nasal arteries and veins, and assessment of arteriovenous coefficient (AVC). Results . In the patients of both groups, the thickness of the choroid in the fovea area decreased in comparison with healthy volunteers (control group, n = 20), however, the decrease in choroid thickness was statistically significantly more pronounced in the patients of Group 1, and this group was also characterized by change in the caliber of retina arteries and veins, which is expressed in a higher AVC. Conclusion . OCT allows early preclinical diagnosis of eye disorders (in the absence of eye complaints) in patients with tuberculosis, including those with concurrent HIV infection. Detection of choroid disorders and AVC changes in such patients allows timely prescription of therapy and prevention of pathological changes from progression.