Altered Corneal T-Cell Motility and Sensory Nerve Features in Older Adults With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Abstract

PURPOSE. To characterize corneal immune cell morphodynamics and nerve features, and define the in vivo immune landscape in older adults with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), relative to healthy age-matched adults. METHODS. In this cross-sectional study, 16 HIV-positive individuals receiving ART and 15 age-matched controls underwent ocular surface examinations and functional in vivo confocal microscopy (Fun-IVCM). Time-lapsed videos were created to analyze corneal immune cells (T cells, dendritic cells [DCs], macrophages). Subclinical indicators of corneal health (sensory nerve and endothelial cell features), clinical ocular surface findings, and tear..