Question 1: The most common ocular lesion peculiar to HIV infection in early stage is :
- A. Retinal necroses
- B. Retinal hemorrhages
- C. Kaposi's sarcoma
- D. Soft exudates in retina (Correct Answer)
Explanation: ***Soft exudates in retina***
- **Soft exudates**, also known as **cotton wool spots**, are the most common early ocular manifestation in HIV infection.
- They represent ischemia of the nerve fiber layer due to microvascular occlusion and do not generally affect vision significantly.
*Retinal necroses*
- **Retinal necroses**, such as those seen in **progressive outer retinal necrosis (PORN)** or **acute retinal necrosis (ARN)**, are typically severe and rapidly progressive.
- They are usually associated with advanced HIV infection (low CD4 count) and viral etiologies like **CMV retinitis** or **VZV**, not early stage HIV.
*Retinal hemorrhages*
- **Retinal hemorrhages** can occur in HIV, but they are often associated with systemic conditions like **thrombocytopenia** or **anemia**, or advanced opportunistic infections.
- They are not considered the *most common* lesion peculiar to early HIV itself.
*Kaposi's sarcoma*
- **Kaposi's sarcoma** is a vascular tumor caused by **HHV-8 infection** and is associated with advanced immunosuppression in HIV.
- While it can affect the conjunctiva or eyelids, primary intraocular involvement is rare and typically presents in later stages, not early HIV.