Study finds slightly higher prevalence of dry eye among older adults with well-controlled HIV

Research has examined the effects of HIV on the eye in patients aged 60 and older whose viral load is at a level where it cannot be transmitted sexually

1 min read

A clinician puts their hand on the shoulder of an older male patient

Getty/South_agency

Selina Powell

10 September 2026

A study published in Viruses has outlined eye health and visual function among a group of adults aged 60 and older living with well-controlled HIV.

The research, which was led by University of Colorado Anschutz Department of Ophthalmology, involved examining visual impairment and ocular pathology in a group of 74 adults living with well-controlled HIV, and 65 adults without HIV.

Around half of study participants with HIV had developed a cataract compared to 20% of study participants without HIV.

The researchers also found that 63% of adults with HIV had dry eye compared to 51% of adults without HIV.

While the researchers found a similar proportion of both groups experienced moderate-to-severe tear insufficiency (around one in three), there was a significant difference in the prevalence of meibomian gland dysfunction between those with HIV and those without HIV.

One in five study participants with HIV had meibomian gland dysfunction compared to around one in 10 study participants without HIV.

Lead author, Dr Alison Abraham, of the University of Colorado Anschutz Department of Ophthalmology, highlighted that the study findings raise the possibility that HIV may contribute to dry eye.

“Larger studies are needed to determine what might be behind the observation,” she said.