Ocular manifestations of Kaposi's sarcoma associated with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

BACKGROUND. The study evaluates the incidence of ocular compromise in the Kaposi's sarcoma associated with AIDS. METHODS. We revised the clinical histories of HIV seropositives patients seen in the ophtalmologie departament from January, 1994 to December, 1998. All patients were examined by direct visually and dilated fundus examination with the use of either a direct or an indirect ophtalmoscope. RESULTS. In 6,552 patients, ocular Kaposi's sarcoma was diagnosed in 17 (0.25%), predominantly in male sex (88.23%). The lesions predominated in eyelids, and the inferior been the most affected. In only one female, the ocular compromise was the first neoplasic manifestation. CONCLUSIONS. The ocular compromise in the Kaposi's sarcoma is an alternative to be considered in AIDS patients with previous or simultaneous cutaneous or visceral involvement. Due to the few clinical signs of these lesions, a thorough ocular study is recommended in these patients.