What condition is characterized by visual disturbances and yellow infiltrate around the macula in HIV patients?

The condition characterized by visual disturbances and yellow infiltrate around the macula in HIV patients is indeed CMV retinitis. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is a viral infection that primarily affects individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS. In these patients, the virus can cause inflammation and damage to the retina, leading to significant visual impairment.

The yellow infiltrate seen in CMV retinitis is due to the presence of necrotizing retinitis, which manifests as areas of retinal whitening and can lead to hemorrhages and exudates. Symptoms of CMV retinitis may include blurred vision, floaters, and even sudden vision loss. The presence of visual disturbances along with the characteristic yellow infiltrate around the macula aligns perfectly with the diagnostic features of CMV retinitis in HIV patients, making it the correct answer in this context.

In contrast, the other conditions listed may not cause the specific combination of symptoms described. Candidiasis could affect the eyes but typically does not present with the yellow infiltrate described. Retinal detachment usually involves sudden onset of visual disturbances and may have a different presentation on examination. Chronic open-angle glaucoma is more associated with gradual vision loss without the acute inflammatory changes seen