Recurrent unilateral optic neuropathy associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

HIV-related optic neuropathy is rare compared to optic neuropathies secondary to opportunistic infections in seropositive patients. We report the case of a 39-year-old HIV-positive woman referred for unilateral visual loss leading to the diagnosis of recurrent, unilateral, inflammatory optic neuropathy directly associated with HIV. Despite initial recovery after steroid treatment, she relapsed twice. Absence of any opportunist infections or toxic causes and presence of a very high viral load due to non-compliance with treatment led to the diagnosis of HIV-related optic neuropathy. Steroids and effective anti-retroviral treatment resulted in definitive and complete recovery. Inflammatory, degenerative and/or vascular mechanisms have been hypothesized to explain the occurrence of these rare HIV-related optic neuropathies. This diagnosis remains a diagnosis of exclusion to be considered in the work-up of seropositive patients with optic neuropathies. (c) 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.