Purpose: The present study evaluates the frequency of ocular manifestations observed in HTLV-I seropositive patients in Rio de Janeiro. Methods: The study included 17 patients with TSP/HAM (tropical spastic paraparesis / HTLV-I associated myelopathy) and 55 seropositive patients to HTLV-I without TSP/HAM or ATLL (adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma). Results: In the TSP/HAM patients sample we observed the frequency of 11.8% of anterior uveitis, 11.8% of retinal vasculitis and 5.9% of vitreous opacity. In the seropositive patients to HTLV-I without TSP/HAM or ATLL the frequency of 1.8% of retinal vasculitis and 1.8% of cotton-wool spot were observed. Conclusion: In conclusion, the HTLV-I must be considered as one of the etiological agents to be thought in these ocular manifestations in endemic areas such as Rio de Janeiro.
HTLV-I; Uveitis; Retinal vasculitis; TSP/HAM