The systemic inflammatory response to cardiopulmonary bypass and the brain

The acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a lethal multisystem disease. Its ocular manifestations have received relatively little attention in the literature. Between 73% and 100% of AIDS patients develop ocular lesions. The commonest lesions seen are retinal--either infectious or noninfectious retinopathy. Involvement of the conjunctiva with Kaposi's sarcoma, infected tears and infected cornea as well as the vitreous are less common. Infections with cytomegalovirus and varicella zoster virus are common causes of visual loss and can be treated with antiviral agents such as ganciclovir and foscarnet. This greatly increases the quality of life in these patients by preventing visual loss.