What condition can lead to opportunistic infection of the retina?

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) significantly compromises the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to opportunistic infections, including those that can affect the retina. Patients with AIDS have a reduced ability to fight off infections due to the depletion of CD4 T cells, which are critical in orchestrating the immune response. This immunosuppressed state can lead to a variety of retinal infections, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, which is a common and serious complication seen in individuals with advanced HIV/AIDS.

In contrast, while diabetes mellitus can lead to diabetic retinopathy and increase the risk of other eye complications due to changes in blood sugar levels and vascular health, it does not directly involve opportunistic infections stemming from an impaired immune system like AIDS does. Hypertension and rheumatoid arthritis can cause ocular issues as well, but they do not predispose an individual to the same level of infectious risk associated with a severely compromised immune system, such as seen in AIDS. Thus, the link between AIDS and opportunistic infections of the retina is directly tied to the immunocompromised state that characterizes this condition.