What is cysticercosis of the eye? This is a parasitic disease that occurs when the larvae of the porcine tapeworm penetrate into the eyeball. A similar complication is diagnosed in 45% of patients with this helminthiasis. This is a fairly high figure. The disease can lead to a complete loss of vision. That is why it is so important to know what symptoms such a pathology manifests, which doctor should be treated for suspicions of ocular cysticercosis, and what diagnostic measures will help confirm the suspicions.
The pork chain larvae( pictured) are small in size( 3 to 15 mm), so it's quite difficult to see them with the naked eye. But the development of cysticercosis may indicate characteristic signs. Patients often complain about:
- Severe lacrimation.
- Pains.
- Gradual reduction in the sharpness of perception of objects.
- Image distortion.
This is because the larva of the pork snapper, falling into a certain environment, is transformed into Finns in the form of a closed capsule. A foreign object in the eyes, even if of such insignificant dimensions, causes persistent irritation of the mucosa. This explains the appearance of the above characteristics. What kind of doctors should I use when I detect the first symptoms of cysticercosis of the eyes? To the ophthalmologist or to infektsionistu.
How is cysticercosis diagnosed?
Since cysticercosis is a complication of teniosis, the diagnosis of the described disease begins with a careful collection of the patient's anamnesis, taking into account epidemiological data. It is important to understand what symptoms dominate the clinical picture, what condition the underlying disease is( shadowosis), what stage of helminthiosis develops at the moment: acute stage, stage of clinical well-being or spontaneous remission. If you suspect a cysticercosis of the eye, ophthalmoscopy is used - examination of the bottom of the eye with the help of special instruments( the photo shows the session).It allows you to see the superficial location of the larvae of the pork chain. Sometimes a patient is assigned a biopsy - a small operation, in which a piece of tissue is taken for examination.
When performing the diagnosis of eye cysticercosis, some laboratory tests are performed. It is advisable to conduct a general analysis of blood and cerebrospinal fluid with the use of pork chain antigen.
Is it possible to treat cysticercosis of the eye?
With timely detection of symptoms and treatment, the predictions for the described disease are always positive. Therapy of cysticercosis of the eye is carried out in two directions.
- First, the patient is prescribed a course of taking antihelminthic drugs. Usually, for ophthalmic complications, Praziquantel is prescribed, a broad-spectrum preparation whose active substance is capable of eliminating any form of tapeworm( larvae in particular).The daily dose is calculated by the formula 0.05 grams per kilogram of live weight. The dose resulting from the calculations is divided into three doses, the medicine is taken strictly at the time of food intake. One course of treatment lasts two weeks.
- Secondly, in the case of the formation of cysts or single nodes, such as presented in the photo, they are surgically removed.
As a rule, ocular cysticercosis is a complication of the course of the shadowosis. This disease can be prevented if the rules of personal hygiene are strictly observed during the treatment of the intestinal form of helminthiosis. Patients with shadows should not be allowed to vomit. It is this reaction of the body that creates ideal prerequisites for the development of cysticercosis.