In immunocompromised patients, CMV retinitis commonly presents with

In immunocompromised patients, CMV retinitis commonly presents with

• A. Floaters and blurred vision
• B. Severe eye pain with redness
• C. Conjunctival discharge
• D. Color vision loss first

Answer: (D)

In CMV retinitis in immunocompromised patients, the problem lies in retinal infection that causes painless, progressive vision loss from retinal necrosis and hemorrhages. When the macula is involved, central vision and color discrimination rely on the cone cells in the fovea, so color vision can be affected early as CMV damages the central retina. That makes color vision loss a particularly telling clue for retinal involvement in this setting. The other signs point to different ocular processes: severe eye pain with redness suggests an anterior segment or inflammatory process; conjunctival discharge suggests conjunctivitis; floaters and blurred vision are common but nonspecific. So color vision loss aligns best with macular involvement from CMV retinitis in an immunocompromised patient, which is why it’s highlighted as the key presentation. If this suspicion arises, urgent ophthalmology evaluation and antiviral therapy are indicated.

In CMV retinitis in immunocompromised patients, the problem lies in retinal infection that causes painless, progressive vision loss from retinal necrosis and hemorrhages. When the macula is involved, central vision and color discrimination rely on the cone cells in the fovea, so color vision can be affected early as CMV damages the central retina. That makes color vision loss a particularly telling clue for retinal involvement in this setting. The other signs point to different ocular processes: severe eye pain with redness suggests an anterior segment or inflammatory process; conjunctival discharge suggests conjunctivitis; floaters and blurred vision are common but nonspecific. So color vision loss aligns best with macular involvement from CMV retinitis in an immunocompromised patient, which is why it’s highlighted as the key presentation. If this suspicion arises, urgent ophthalmology evaluation and antiviral therapy are indicated.