ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: In its early course, multiple sclerosis (MS) manifests in a variety of symptoms so that ophthalmologists should know that the ocular problems are often the first sign of the disease and may predict additional demyelinating events. METHOD: The author have reviewed the data in the recent literature about the ocular problems in the early stages of MS. RESULTS: The initial signs of MS are: optic neuritis (acute, unilateral), blurred vision, diplopia or oscillopsia (illusory visual motion) due to oculomotor disorder, chronic bilateral uveitis, facial palsy (similar to an idiopathic Bell's palsy), paresthesias, numbness or/and pain in one or more areas innervated by the ramifications of the trigeminal nerve. CONCLUSION: Ophthalmologists should be aware that these symptoms are suggestive of a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system.
Subject(s)
Eye Diseases/diagnosis , Eye Diseases/etiology , Multiple Sclerosis/complications , Disease Progression , Facial Paralysis/diagnosis , Facial Paralysis/etiology , Humans , Neuromyelitis Optica/diagnosis , Uveitis/diagnosis , Uveitis/etiologyABSTRACT
A century ago Hess described how to map out ocular deviations on two pieces of paper in cases of diplopia. This paper discusses how to obtain useful information regarding ocular deviations from a chart that has been obtained from screen tests (Hess, Lancaster, Lees, Weiss).
Subject(s)
Ocular Motility Disorders/diagnosis , Vision Disorders/diagnosis , Vision Tests/instrumentation , Vision Tests/methods , Vision, Binocular , Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological/instrumentation , Diplopia/diagnosis , Eye Movements , Fixation, Ocular , HumansABSTRACT
The causes of nonglaucomatous optic disk atrophy and excavation are enumerated in people 65 years or older: congenital anomalies, myopia, ischemic disorders, transsynaptic degeneration, traumatic, compressive, hereditary, toxic and infectious optic neuropathy.
Subject(s)
Optic Atrophy/etiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Glaucoma/complications , Humans , Optic Atrophy/classification , Optic Atrophy/diagnosis , Optic Atrophy/rehabilitation , Optic Nerve/blood supply , Optic Nerve Injuries/complicationsABSTRACT
The main causes of blindness and visual disabilities, as described in documents published by the World Health Organization (WHO), are discussed.
Subject(s)
Blindness/etiology , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cataract/complications , Cataract/epidemiology , Child , Diabetic Retinopathy/complications , Diabetic Retinopathy/epidemiology , Eye Injuries/complications , Eye Injuries/epidemiology , Glaucoma/complications , Glaucoma/epidemiology , Global Health , Humans , Leprosy/complications , Leprosy/epidemiology , Prevalence , Trachoma/complications , Trachoma/epidemiologyABSTRACT
In age-related macular degeneration, communication between the retinal and choroidal circulations occurs spontaneously or following unsuccessful laser photocoagulation of subretinal new vessels. The resulting chorioretinal anastomotic complex, which includes the subretinal new vessels and their feeder retinal vessels, usually shows marked exudation and produces an extensive serous detachment of the neurosensory retina in the posterior pole, often associated with hard exudates. Eleven eyes with chorioretinal anastomotic complexes were treated using the monochromatic green argon laser. Adequate closure of the chorioretinal anastomotic complexes by photocoagulation resulted in retinal flattening in the posterior pole with resolution of the hard exudates and improvement of vision in eight of the 11 treated eyes.