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Glaucoma-inducing Procedure in an In Vivo Rat Model and Whole-mount Retina Preparation
Published on: March 12, 2016
A rare cause of blindness.
John J Parker1, Robert S Svingos, Don N Reeder
1Emergency Department, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, Gainesville, Florida 32608, USA.
The Journal of Emergency Medicine
|March 26, 2013
Summary
Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) can cause blindness. Emergency physicians must consider TB in patients with vision loss, especially with increasing extrapulmonary TB cases.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health concern, particularly in underdeveloped nations.
- While pulmonary TB is common, extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) is increasingly reported, even in developed countries.
- EPTB often presents insidiously, mimicking other conditions and challenging emergency physicians.
Observation:
- Ocular TB incidence varies geographically, historically low in the US but rising in Europe.
- A case report details blindness caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
- Challenges in diagnosing EPTB by emergency physicians are highlighted.
Findings:
- Loss of vision can be a primary symptom of active tuberculosis infection.
- The case underscores the diagnostic difficulties of EPTB in emergency settings.
Implications:
- Ophthalmologists and emergency physicians should consider TB in patients presenting with vision loss.
- Increased awareness of EPTB is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.
- Prompt diagnosis can prevent irreversible vision loss from ocular TB.
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