Signs Your Cat May Have an Eye Infection
Optic Neuritis
Your optic nerve is important as it is essential to our sight. The optic nerve's function is to transmit information that we see and what is formed on our retina (situated at the back of your eye) to the brain. This enables us to see better. In optic neuritis, your optic nerve gets inflamed that leads to blurring of vision. Optic neuritis is also called retrobulbar neuritis. Depending on how inflamed your optic nerve gets, your symptoms may be mild or severe. Optic neuritis occurs at any age but is mostly seen in the third decade. Most cases resolve on their own, but in a few cases, vision may be permanently impaired. Optic neuritis can be caused by a number of causes, including multiple sclerosis (a condition affecting your brain and spinal cord that results in a loss of the protective covering of your nerves).[1]
TypesThe types of optic neuritis are as follows.
Typical optic neuritis: The cause is mostly multiple sclerosis but can have other unusual reasons too. It occurs in the ages of 20 to 50 years and is characterized by pain in the eye or moving your eye before actual visual symptoms appear. Your visual loss occurs progressively over days to weeks. It does not require steroids for treatment.
Atypical optic neuritis: the cause may be multiple sclerosis or other causes. It typically occurs before the age of 20 or after the age of 50. The common types of atypical optic neuritis are neuromyelitis optica, Neuroretinitis, chronic recurrent immune optic neuropathy, and autoimmune diseases that affect your optic nerve. The pain usually lasts for more than two weeks. Here, the loss of vision is sudden, occurring in hours or over two weeks. It is dependent on steroids for treatment.
SymptomsOptic neuritis can occur only in one eye or may affect both your eyes. The symptoms may be sudden or may appear after a few days or weeks. Without treatment, your symptoms can get worse; it is, therefore, essential to contact your ophthalmologist (eye doctor). Following are the symptoms of optic neuritis.
Reduced vision is usually the first and vital symptom
Causes
Though the exact cause of optic neuritis is unclear, it may be caused by the following.
Any condition that causes demyelination (loss of the covering of the nerve) of the optic nerve, which may occur due to an autoimmune disease (a condition in which your own body attacks your cells)
Risk Factors
Your risk of getting multiple sclerosis increases if you live at higher altitudes and have a history of multiple sclerosis.[3]
PreventionFurther episodes of optic neuritis can be prevented by treating the underlying cause. If the cause is an infection like tuberculosis or syphilis, then antibiotics can help treat it. If the cause of optic neuritis is toxins, then withdrawal of the toxin and supplementing vitamins can help. For individuals receiving treatment for tuberculosis and who suffer from optic neuritis, then ethambutol, an antitubercular medicine, will need to be halted. If the cause is multiple sclerosis, then treatment with steroids, intravenous immunoglobulins, immune modulators or plasmapheresis can help in the prevention of optic neuritis.[6]
DiagnosisOptic neuritis is diagnosed based on the medical history of the patient. Excluding other causes that can cause loss of vision are ruled out. An ophthalmologic examination is performed to identify any abnormalities present at the back of the eye. An ophthalmoscope may be used to view the optic nerve and identify any abnormalities with it. Investigations can help rule out the cause of optic neuritis so that the treatment can be decided accordingly. The diagnosis of optic neuritis can be done with the help of the following tests.
Optic Neuritis usually does not require any treatment. The condition resolves by itself in around four to 12 weeks. Around 85% of the times optic neuritis causes permanent vision damage. However, this damage may not necessarily cause grave vision issues. The vision returns once the inflammation reduces.
In severe cases, intravenous corticosteroids may be administered to hasten recovery. However, steroid use may increase the chances of recurrence. The use of oral corticosteroids is contraindicated due to the recurrence rates. Though steroids accelerate recovery, they come with other perils. Side effects of steroids include upset stomach, metallic taste in your mouth, sleep problems, anxiety, irritability, increased levels of glucose, and fungal infections like thrush. Steroids hasten recovery, but research has seen that visual recovery remains the same with or without steroid treatment after a year.Interferon therapy given as injections can reduce multiple sclerosis from occurring in individuals who already have optic neuritis. It is vital to follow up with your ophthalmologist (eye doctor) to evaluate your eyes and identify early signs of multiple sclerosis. [1,5,6]
Home RemediesCertain home remedies can be followed for optic neuritis, which is stated below.
What to eat & What not to eat when you have optic neuritis
Foods to eat are vegetable juices like carrot, beetroot, and spinach juice. Consuming vitamin B supplements and nutrients like alpha-lipoic acid and omega-3 fatty acids can also help in reducing the inflammation of your nerves and preserve the nerve function.
Foods to avoid are canned meat, canned fish, cereal, tea, coffee, and white bread, which can increase pain during neuritis episodes.[6]
Prognosis And ComplicationsPrognosis
In patients who have a disease which causes optic neuritis, their recovery chances are improved. Individuals with autoimmune diseases have a worse prognosis but may regain their vision in the eye that is affected. In patients with typical optic neuritis, the prognosis is excellent. However, if left untreated, recurrent episodes can cause permanent loss of vision (optic atrophy) due to eventual permanent damage to the optic nerve.[6,7]
Complications
Due to prolonged use of steroids, complications like increased blood sugar, increase in weight, and problems in your bone may occur. This can lead to effects on your entire body. The complication of optic neuritis is optic atrophy which results in the optic nerve becoming permanently thin. Atrophy of the optic nerve will further cause visual field loss, reduced visual acuity or both.[6]
ReferencesWhat Are Our Eyes Telling Us?
Futuristic Eye
Getty ImagesThis story is part of a series on the current progression in Regenerative Medicine. This piece starts a series dedicated to the eye and improvements in restoring vision.
In 1999, I defined regenerative medicine as the collection of interventions that restore to normal function tissues and organs that have been damaged by disease, injured by trauma, or worn by time. I include a full spectrum of chemical, gene, and protein-based medicines, cell-based therapies, and biomechanical interventions that achieve that goal.
The field of regenerative medicine is rapidly advancing, offering new hope to individuals suffering from visual disorders. Specifically, there's a growing potential to restore vision and transform lives with breakthrough treatments.
The human eye, an intricate sensory organ responsible for our ability to perceive the world, has numerous complex structures, such as the cornea, iris, lens, retina, and optic nerve. With these complex structures comes the potential for diseases and disorders that can lead to blindness and visual impairments.
Cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration are the most common optical conditions affecting millions worldwide. While cataracts result in clouding of the lens leading to blurry vision, glaucoma is caused due to damage in the optic nerve leading to loss of peripheral vision. People with diabetes can also get diabetic retinopathy, a condition that affects the blood vessels in the retina and leads to vision impairment if left untreated.
A recent review took an in-depth look at age-related macular degeneration and regenerative medicine's role in treating it. Age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss among people over 50, affects the center of the retina, leading to blurry or distorted vision.
Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Disease BurdenAge-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), a chronic eye condition, affects 196 million people worldwide as of 2020, and with an expected increase to 288 million by 2040, its prevalence is on the rise. AMD's impact is extensive, causing a decrease in people's quality of life, mobility, and independence. In turn, this leads to an increased rate of falls and depression.
This disease has become an important global cause of disease burden and a leading driver of health outcome inequalities, disproportionately affecting countries with low income and low human development index values.
The disease burden in Africa is over twice that of the Americas. Moreover, Asia, which constitutes around 60% of the global population, is projected to carry more than a third of all cases of AMD. Despite considerable progress in treatment, age-related macular degeneration still poses a significant public health challenge.
Classifying Macular DegenerationAge-related macular degeneration is a medical condition that causes a loss of central vision in the affected eye. This can make daily activities such as reading or driving difficult. It occurs when the cells of the macula, the small area in the center of the retina, begin to deteriorate over time.
The Beckman Initiative for Macular Research proposed a clinical classification system for AMD in 2013, which is now commonly used in research and clinical settings. This classification system requires only clinical examination or color fundus images, making it universally accessible and applicable.
Color fundus images capture intricate details of the fundus. The photos can give insights into the retina, blood vessels, macula, and optic disc. With this, doctors can identify vascular abnormalities, monitor disease progression, and evaluate treatment efficacy. These images are essential in diagnosing and treating AMD.
A view of Macular Degeneration
ACCESS Health InternationalNeovascular AMD, also known as wet macular degeneration, is defined as the presence of neovascularization under the retinal pigment epithelium.
Geographic atrophy, also known as dry macular degeneration, involves the loss of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium and presents as a sharply defined pale area with exposed underlying choroidal blood vessels.
Both types of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can be asymptomatic in their early stages but may cause night blindness and difficulty adjusting to dim lighting. Early detection and monitoring are crucial for identifying neovascular complications and ensuring timely medical intervention.
What Causes Macular Degeneration?Age-related macular degeneration is a chronic retinopathy that develops due to oxidative damage to the retina over time. This damage affects various eye structures, including photoreceptors, Bruch's membrane, choriocapillaris, and the retinal pigment epithelium.
Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells accumulate intracellular debris as we age, mainly lipofuscin or drusen. This buildup leads to oxidative damage and the aggregation of debris into sub-RPE deposits, which manifests as drusen—the hallmark of AMD. This buildup over time is why age is the predominant risk factor for the condition.
Although age is a significant risk factor for macular degeneration, other factors, such as diet and genetics, can also play a role. While lifestyle factors like diet fall under modifiable risk factors, less controllable factors like genetics can't be changed easily.
Smoking poses the most significant risk of all preventable factors, tripling the probability of developing the condition. Nevertheless, quitting smoking can help reduce this risk. Regular physical activity may offer minor protection, but research has proved it a significant mitigating factor in developing macular degeneration.
Research Leads Us To Future Treatment InsightsAlthough progress has been made in treating age-related macular degeneration, there are still deficiencies in our understanding of the disease and its management. Currently, research is focused on early intervention trials to slow down or prevent disease progression.
To improve trial accessibility and efficiency, regulatory agency-endorsed primary endpoints play a crucial role. However, thus far, no such metrics for disease progression have been approved, late-stage age-related macular degeneration being a notable exception. Contrast sensitivity, best-corrected visual acuity, and geographic atrophy lesion growth rate remain the only benchmarks recognized by these agencies.
Researchers are actively investigating methods to streamline early intervention trial progress. They are concentrating on developing clinical endpoints by gathering feedback from patients and through anatomical and functional markers. To achieve this objective, experts have collaborated to form a consensus group to establish a more comprehensive grading of age-related macula severity that accounts for early biomarkers and surrogate endpoints.
Innovation in technology and strategies such as AI integration into screening tools, developing advanced home-based monitoring tools, and prioritizing marginalized and vulnerable groups show promise in the fight against age-related macular degeneration and other retinal disorders.
Effective therapies for macular degeneration have the potential to unlock a new era of transformative outcomes, significantly reducing the disease burden on aging populations. Investing in developing treatments for age-related macular degeneration can create far-reaching impacts that benefit millions globally.
To learn more about the eye, read more stories at www.Williamhaseltine.Com
What's To Know About Atrophic Vaginitis?
Atrophic vaginitis is the drying, thinning, and inflammation of the vaginal walls. It results from falling estrogen levels and usually happens after menopause.
Atrophic vaginitis is a type of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). GSM refers to atrophy due to loss of hormones in the perineal area, including the vagina.
The condition can cause painful intercourse and increased urinary tract infections (UTIs). A doctor may recommend topical treatments and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat the condition.
Read on to learn more about atrophic vaginitis. This article discusses symptoms, causes, treatment options, and more.
Possible symptoms of atrophic vaginitis include:
Symptoms can also affect urination. These can include:
There may also be a reduction in pubic hair, and the vagina may become narrower and less elastic.
The most common cause of atrophic vaginitis is the decrease in estrogen after menopause.
The ovaries make estrogen until a female experiences menopause. In the United States, the average age at which menopause occurs is 45–55 years, though some people may experience menopause earlier or later. Before menopause, the estrogen in a person's bloodstream helps protect the skin of the vagina and stimulates vaginal secretions.
When the ovaries stop making estrogen after menopause, the walls of the vagina become thin, and vaginal secretions reduce. Similar changes can happen after childbirth, but these are temporary and less severe.
Other causes include:
To assist with reaching an accurate diagnosis, the doctor will carry out an examination and discuss medical history. They may ask about the use of products that can irritate the area and cause or aggravate symptoms, such as soaps or perfumes.
Diagnosis typically relies on a person's symptoms. The doctor may also order tests to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other possible causes.
They may take the pH, or acidity, of the vaginal area. A pH of 4.6 or higher indicates atrophic vaginitis.
The doctor may also request an infection screening. Atrophic vaginitis can make the area more susceptible to infections and it also may occur alongside an infection.
If the diagnosis is unclear, or if the doctor suspects malignancy, they may order a biopsy to rule out cancer.
Various treatments may help a person to manage atrophic vaginitis.
LubricantsA water-soluble vaginal lubricant may help provide relief during intercourse in mild cases.
However, it is important to note that petroleum jelly, mineral oil, or other oils are not suitable. These may increase the chance of infection and may damage latex condoms or diaphragms.
HRTHRT can supply estrogen to the whole body. It is available in various forms:
It is generally effective, but there may be side effects. A person should discuss the risks of long-term HRT with their doctor.
A person applies localized HRT topically, focusing treatment on the affected area. A person can apply vaginal tablets, creams, rings, and pessaries internally to focus the supply of estrogen to the vaginal area.
A low dose estriol cream can stimulate rapid reproduction and repair of the vaginal epithelium cells.
A person's doctor can advise on more treatments that may help a person manage symptoms of atrophic vaginitis.
While it may not be possible to completely prevent atrophic vaginitis, using vaginal estrogen before the condition becomes severe can be a way to protect the vagina.
Using a water-soluble vaginal lubricant can soothe mild cases during sexual intercourse.
Atrophic vaginitis typically occurs after menopause, when estrogen levels are low. It can cause vaginal dryness, pain during sex, and changes in discharge and urination. It can also increase a person's risk of UTIs and other infections.
It is best to contact a doctor if a person has concerns about atrophic vaginitis. The doctor can confirm the diagnosis and advise on treatments to help a person manage atrophic vaginitis. These may include lubricants and HRT.
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