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Practical Neurology Oct 2020'Photopsia' describes the symptom of visual disturbances that are typically flash-like, sudden in onset and brief, and occurring without light entering the eye. Patients...
'Photopsia' describes the symptom of visual disturbances that are typically flash-like, sudden in onset and brief, and occurring without light entering the eye. Patients reporting photopsia often pose a diagnostic challenge, given the wide range of possible neurological and ophthalmological causes. We review the common causes of photopsia, discuss the assessment and workup of this symptom, and stress the importance of close interdisciplinary liaison to help with its diagnosis and management. We discuss a patient with acute zonal occult outer retinopathy to illustrate these points.
Topics: Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Fluorescein Angiography; Fundus Oculi; Humans; Middle Aged; Retinal Diseases; Scotoma; Vision Disorders; Visual Fields; White Dot Syndromes
PubMed: 32536606
DOI: 10.1136/practneurol-2019-002460 -
Current Hypertension Reports Apr 2024This review summarizes key findings relating to the association between preeclampsia and retinal disorders. (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
This review summarizes key findings relating to the association between preeclampsia and retinal disorders.
RECENT FINDINGS
Preeclampsia is a major cause of maternal morbidity. Pregnant women with preeclampsia frequently describe having visual disturbances. Retinal changes can be identified on fundoscopy in most patients with preeclampsia. While retinal pathology secondary to preeclampsia usually resolves postpartum, there is growing evidence that women with preeclampsia have a higher long-term risk of developing retinal disorders after pregnancy. Pregnant women often experience visual changes. While these symptoms may be benign, careful attention should be paid to exclude retinal disorders secondary to preeclampsia. Pregnant women complaining of new-onset or worsening blurry vision, scotomata, diplopia, or photopsia require rapid and thorough evaluation to rule out hypertensive disorders. Management of preeclampsia, including administration of magnesium sulfate and delivery of the fetus, can reverse retinal pathologies in most cases.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Pre-Eclampsia; Hypertension; Vision Disorders; Retina
PubMed: 38133842
DOI: 10.1007/s11906-023-01290-0 -
Medicines (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2023Choroidal melanoma is a rare malignant tumour, yet it is the most common primary intra-ocular neoplasm and second on the list of top ten most malignant melanoma sites in... (Review)
Review
Choroidal melanoma is a rare malignant tumour, yet it is the most common primary intra-ocular neoplasm and second on the list of top ten most malignant melanoma sites in the body. Clinical presentation can be non-specific and includes photopsia, floaters, progressive visual field loss, and blurry vision. The tumour is quite often diagnosed clinically during fundus examination; however, the most valued diagnostic tests are A- and B-scan ultrasonography (US). Several factors affect prognosis, including the patient's age, tumour size, histological features, and presence of metastases. Still, with primary treatment and tight surveillance, around 50% of choroidal melanoma patients metastasise.
PubMed: 36662495
DOI: 10.3390/medicines10010011 -
British Journal of Hospital Medicine... Oct 2021Retinal detachments are a potentially sight-threatening ophthalmic emergency that may result in significant, irreversible vision loss. The risk of developing retinal...
Retinal detachments are a potentially sight-threatening ophthalmic emergency that may result in significant, irreversible vision loss. The risk of developing retinal detachment increases with advancing age, myopia and trauma. Pre-existing retinal degenerations can precipitate a pre-detachment symptomatic period of photopsia or floaters, allowing clinicians to intervene early and prevent detachments. Novel imaging techniques, such as spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, and well-established topographic modalities, such as B scan, can help to elucidate the type of detachment and any underlying causes, and help with surgical management. The overarching goal of treatment is to identify and seal all retinal holes, relieve vitreoretinal traction and prevent further recurrence. Prompt prophylactic retinopexy of retinal holes and tears is crucial in preventing retinal detachment, the main treatments of which are pars plana vitrectomy, tamponading agents and silicone scleral buckle.
Topics: Humans; Retinal Detachment; Retinal Perforations; Scleral Buckling; Treatment Outcome; Vitrectomy
PubMed: 34726948
DOI: 10.12968/hmed.2021.0145 -
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology Jul 2024Acute Zonal Occult Outer Retinopathy (AZOOR) is characterized by sudden visual impairment, often presenting with scotoma and photopsia in young to middle-aged adults,... (Review)
Review
Acute Zonal Occult Outer Retinopathy (AZOOR) is characterized by sudden visual impairment, often presenting with scotoma and photopsia in young to middle-aged adults, showing a female predominance. This condition, distinct from genetic disorders like retinitis pigmentosa, lacks a hereditary basis and exhibits unique fundus changes and imaging features indicative of outer retinal dysfunction. Recent advancements have broadened our understanding, identifying variants like Acute Annular Outer Retinopathy (AAOR) and Multizonal outer retinopathy and retinal pigment epitheliopathy (MORR), each with specific clinical presentations and imaging characteristics. The diagnosis of AZOOR and its variants primarily relies on excluding other conditions through comprehensive evaluation, including imaging and serological testing. Treatment approaches, including the use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressives, remain debated, with some evidence suggesting benefits in the early stages. The prognosis of AZOOR varies, with most patients experiencing stabilization, although complications like choroidal neovascularization may occur, requiring targeted therapy. This manuscript elucidates the complexity of AZOOR, emphasizing the necessity of high clinical suspicion and the role of advanced imaging in diagnosis and management.
Topics: Humans; White Dot Syndromes; Scotoma; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Fluorescein Angiography; Fundus Oculi; Visual Acuity; Visual Fields; Electroretinography
PubMed: 38454854
DOI: 10.4103/IJO.IJO_3228_23 -
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Jan 2023
Topics: Humans; Vision Disorders; Retinal Diseases
PubMed: 36690353
DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2021-064767 -
Journal of Neuro-ophthalmology : the... Mar 2022Syphilis is an uncommon cause of optic nerve head edema; however, differentiating syphilis from other etiologies of optic nerve head swelling may be challenging. We...
BACKGROUND
Syphilis is an uncommon cause of optic nerve head edema; however, differentiating syphilis from other etiologies of optic nerve head swelling may be challenging. We describe 4 cases of ocular syphilis presenting with swollen optic nerve head(s) without overt signs of intraocular inflammation to better define the phenotypic presentation of this condition to allow its early recognition and treatment and discuss potential pathophysiological mechanisms of syphilitic optic neuropathy.
METHODS
Retrospective case series of patients presenting to a tertiary neuro-ophthalmology practice with a swollen optic nerve head(s) but no overt signs of intraocular inflammation, which was eventually determined to be secondary to syphilis.
RESULTS
Four patients were included in the study. The mean age was 43 years, 2 were women and 2 had bilateral involvement. Two patients had a recent history of skin rash, and one patient was investigated for abdominal pain and elevated liver enzymes. Two patients presented with photopsias and preserved visual function, whereas 2 presented with vision loss. Although chorioretinitis was present in all cases, it was very subtle in all and was only appreciated on fundus autofluorescence (FA) in 3 of 4 cases. Three patients demonstrated evidence of optic perineuritis on neuro-imaging. All patients were treated with a course of intravenous penicillin with a variable degree of visual recovery.
CONCLUSIONS
Systemic symptoms are common in patients with syphilic optic neuropathy. Optic disc edema as a manifestation of syphilis is usually accompanied by subtle chorioretinitis, which is best appreciated on FA. Optic perineuritis is common in patients with syphilitic optic neuropathy, with its pathophysiology likely similar to meningitis seen in neurosyphilis.
Topics: Adult; Chorioretinitis; Female; Humans; Inflammation; Male; Optic Nerve Diseases; Papilledema; Retrospective Studies; Syphilis; Vision Disorders
PubMed: 34629401
DOI: 10.1097/WNO.0000000000001302