Objective To observe the fundus characteristics of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) with cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR). Methods Twenty-seven AIDS patients (44 eyes)with CMVR were studied. All the patients had undergone the examinations of visual acuity, intraocular pressure, slit lamp microscope, indirect ophthalmoscope and color fundus photography. The fundus lesions were divided into active lesions and chronic lesions, and the active lesions were subdivided into central, peripheral and mixed types which involving both the posterior and peripheral fundus. Results Of 27 patients (44 eyes), 19 patients(29 eyes)had active lesions. Five patients (six eyes, 13.6%) had central lesions (exudation, hemorrhage and vascular sheath in the posterior retina), nine patients (15 eyes, 34.1%) had peripheral yellow and white granular lesions. Five patients (eight eyes, 18.2%) had mixed lesions. Chronic lesions were found in eight patients(15 eyes, 34.1%), which showed pigment and scarring lesions along vascular branches. Conclusion The fundus lesions of AIDS with CMVR have distinct features.