Chelsea Eye & Cosmetic Surgery Associates, will continue to strive for excellence in the treatment of HIV related eye care and is actively recruiting patients for studies of the effect of HIV on LASIK and cosmetic surgery procedures. Drs. Coad and Eviatar recently presented the first study demonstrating that LASIK is safe in patients living with HIV. Dr. Coad has published several papers and lectured extensively on the subject of HIV and AIDS-related eye disorders. AIDS, which stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, is a disease that affects the body's immune system which helps fight sickness. HIV, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, is a virus which attacks many of the cells in the body. HIV especially attacks white blood cells called lymphocytes. One special kind of lymphocyte is known as the T-cell.


Cotton Wool Spots are the most common eye problem for people with AIDS. AIDS can cause minor bleeding and white spots in the retina. The white spots are referred to as "cotton wool spots" because of their appearance.

CMV Retinitis is a serious infection of the retina that is caused by the cytomegalovirus (CMV). In the past, about 20-30% of people with AIDS had CMV. With retroviral therapy, these numbers are much lower today. Most infections occur when the number of T-cells gets dangerously low (usually 40). Since T-cell counts can rise and fall quickly, a person with HIV should have an ophthalmologic examination every 3 months when their T-cell count is below 250. CMV can permanently impair vision. Seek medical treatment immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

Floating spots or "Spider webs"
Flashing lights
Blind spots or blurred vision
Retinal Detachment

Occasionally CMV causes the retina to separate from the back of the eye. This retinal detachment can result in permanent visual loss and requires surgical intervention.


Eye infections, which cause the eyes to appear red, are common in AIDS patients and can last for prolonged periods of time.


Kaposi's sarcoma is a tumor that appears as purple-red spots that can appear as a bump on the eyelid or a spot on the white part of the eye. These tumors grow slowly and can be surgically removed.


While HIV can be detected in the tears of people with AIDS, no cases of AIDS have ever been reported from tear contact. Ophthalmologists are especially careful in cleaning their lenses and instruments that come into contact with tears.