Efavirenz-Associated Retinal Toxicity Presenting with Night Vision Defects in Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus

ABSTRACT

Ocular lesions in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are commonly due to underlying opportunistic infections. With highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), infectious lesions have reduced and noninfectious ocular manifestations including drug-related side effects have been noted. While retinal toxicity has been noted with few other HAART drugs, there are not many on the same with Efavirenz usage. We report a series of five patients with possible efavirenz-related retinal toxicity, visual function abnormalities, and its management. Efavirenz was replaced with alternate anti-retroviral drug. Reversal of ocular side effects were noted subjectively in the form of symptom amelioration of the patients. Objectively, it could be documented with electroretinogram changes and other visual function tests reverting back to normal after change in HAART regime. Early identification of this uncommon side effect in select patients can prevent irreversible vision loss due to efavirenz-associated retinal toxicity.

KEYWORDS:

• Efavirenz
• retinal toxicity
• HIV
• HAART
• ERG
• ritonavir
• night vision defect

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.