Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 22, 2025
05:22
Iris Fixation via External Pentagram Suturing
Published on: May 5, 2022
1.7K
Ocular Syphilis mimicking Acute Zonal Occult Outer Retinopathy (AZOOR)
C Almeida1, A Silva1, S Marques1
1Ophthalmology Department, Centro Hospitalar Tondela-Viseu, Viseu, Portugal.
Archivos De La Sociedad Espanola De Oftalmologia
|May 8, 2020
Summary
Ocular syphilis, a rare cause of vision loss, can mimic other eye conditions. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for preserving vision, even without typical inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Infectious Diseases
- Neurology
Background:
- Ocular syphilis presents diagnostic challenges due to its diverse manifestations.
- It can mimic various ophthalmic pathologies, potentially leading to delayed treatment.
- Early intervention is vital to prevent irreversible visual impairment.
Observation:
- A case of a 45-year-old man with bilateral, painless vision loss, photopsia, and peripheral scotomas.
- The patient exhibited no overt signs of ocular inflammation.
- Ophthalmic imaging revealed an atypical presentation resembling acute zonal occult outer retinopathy (AZOOR).
Findings:
- Ocular syphilis can manifest without typical ocular inflammation.
- An "AZOOR-like" presentation is an exceptionally rare clinical finding in ocular syphilis.
- This case highlights the variability in syphilis's ocular impact.
Implications:
- Ophthalmologists must maintain a high index of suspicion for ocular syphilis, even in atypical presentations.
- Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential for a favorable visual prognosis.
- Recognizing rare presentations like AZOOR-like syphilitic retinopathy can improve patient outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
1.0K
Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...
1.0K
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
1.1K
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
1.1K
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
886
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
886
01:22Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways
8.4K
At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category,...
8.4K