CDC Reports Ocular Monkeypox Case: Infection May Impair Vision

spread of monkeypox In the United States, the number of cases has declined over the past few weeks, but information about the spread of the virus is trickling in. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now detailing a new reported case of ocular monkeypox, ocular monkeypox.

CDC’s latest Weekly reports of morbidity and mortality delves into five cases of ocular monkeypox reported to health authorities between July and September 2022. Four of her five patients required hospitalization and two were her HIV-positive. One of her patients was a nurse who contracted ocular monkeypox when she accidentally pricked herself while capping a needle used to swab a monkeypox patient’s rash. did.

All patients were treated with tecovarimat (Tpoxx) and four with topical trifluridine (Viroptic).

“Ocular monkeypox is a potentially sight-threatening infection,” warned the researchers in their report. “The provision of urgent ophthalmologic evaluation and timely medical measures for patients with suspected or confirmed ocular monkeypox may help prevent a poor prognosis.”

So how much should you worry about ocular monkeypox and how do you get it? Here’s what you need to know.

Can monkeypox infect the eyes?

Yes, monkeypox can infect your eyes. But it is commonly accompanied by other monkeypox symptoms, says Amesh A. Adalja, M.D., an infectious disease expert and senior research fellow at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.according to CDCtheir symptoms are:

• A rash that occurs on or near the genitals or anus and that can occur on other areas such as the hands, feet, chest, face, or mouth
• heat
• cold
• swollen lymph nodes
• fatigue
• muscle pain and back pain
• headache
• Respiratory symptoms (sore throat, stuffy nose, cough)

People who have monkeypox usually “inoculate” themselves. That is, he gets infected after touching his own monkeypox lesions and then touching his own eyes, Dr. Adalja explains. The report also describes how some patients developed monkeypox in one eye and then spread to the other.

However, for the record, ocular monkeypox is uncommon, he says.

What does eye monkeypox look like?

A CDC report analyzed the symptoms the patient had. They generally included:

• bloodshot eyes
• pain
• discharge
• itch
• sensitivity to light

“Some patients had nodules or ulcers in their eyes,” said Thomas Russo, M.D., professor and chief of infectious diseases at the University of Buffalo in New York.

Can ocular monkeypox affect vision or cause blindness?

can. The report details how ocular monkeypox can be incredibly serious, even vision-threatening, and found that all five patients had a “long-term illness.” pointing out. Four of her were hospitalized, one with a “significant visual impairment.”

One of the patients has also lost his sight, and reportedly “he continues to receive treatment, and the prognosis for visual recovery is currently unknown.”

Can monkeypox cause eye irritation?

Monkeypox generally does not cause eye irritation. “Many viral diseases cause conjunctivitis,” says Dr. Russo, but monkeypox is not thought to be common. But monkeypox of the eye is “much more serious” than conjunctivitis, aka conjunctivitis, he says.

How to prevent ocular monkeypox

Again, chances of getting monkeypox in your eye at random are low. Symptoms of monkeypox infection first appear, says Dr. Russo. But if you have monkeypox or suspect you have monkeypox, Dr. Russo says there are a few things you can do to lower your risk of developing ocular monkeypox.

• don’t touch your eyesIf possible, keep your hands away from your face and eyes to avoid infecting those areas, says Dr. Russo.
• don’t wear contacts“If you wear contacts, you should stop wearing them until the monkeypox is cured,” says Dr. Russo.
• wash your hands“It’s important to do good hand hygiene” to avoid infecting other parts of the body, says Dr. Russo.

This article is accurate at the time of press. However, some information may have changed since the last update. While we aim to keep all our stories up to date, please visit the online resources provided by. CDC When WHO Stay on top of the latest news. For professional medical advice, always consult your doctor.