Tag: ocular symptoms

Case report: A case of Acute Macular Neuroretinopathy secondary to Influenza A virus during Long COVID

Abstract:

Ocular abnormalities have been reported in association with viral infections, including Long COVID, a debilitating illness caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). This report presents a case of a female patient diagnosed with Acute Macular Neuroretinopathy (AMN) following an Influenza A virus infection during Long COVID who experienced severe inflammation symptoms and ocular complications. We hypothesize that the rare occurrence of AMN in this patient could be associated with the immune storm secondary to the viral infection during Long COVID.

Source: Zhang J, Xia Y, Li X, He R, Xie X. Case report: A case of Acute Macular Neuroretinopathy secondary to Influenza A virus during Long COVID. Front Immunol. 2024 Jan 15;14:1302504. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1302504. PMID: 38288123; PMCID: PMC10822910. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10822910/ (Full text)

Dry eye symptoms and signs in United States Gulf War era veterans with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

Background: To examine ocular symptoms and signs of veterans with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) diagnosis, ME/CFS symptoms, and controls.

Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional study of 124 South Florida veterans in active duty during the Gulf War era. Participants were recruited at an ophthalmology clinic at the Miami Veterans Affairs Hospital and evaluated for a diagnosis of ME/CFS, or symptoms of ME/CFS (intermediate fatigue, IF) using the Canadian Consensus criteria. Ocular symptoms were assessed via standardised questionnaires and signs via comprehensive slit lamp examination. Inflammatory blood markers were analysed and compared across groups.

Results: Mean age was 55.1 ± 4.7 years, 88.7% identified as male, 58.1% as White, and 39.5% as Hispanic. Ocular symptoms were more severe in the ME/CFS (n = 32) and IF (n = 48) groups compared to controls (n = 44) across dry eye (DE; Ocular Surface Disease Index [OSDI]: 48.9 ± 22.3 vs. 38.8 ± 23.3 vs. 19.1 ± 17.8, p < 0.001; 5 item Dry Eye Questionnaire [DEQ-5]: 10.8 ± 3.9 vs. 10.0 ± 4.6 vs. 6.6 ± 4.2, p < 0.001) and pain-specific questionnaires (Numerical Rating Scale 1-10 [NRS] right now: 2.4 ± 2.8 vs. 2.4 ± 2.9 vs 0.9 ± 1.5; p = 0.007; Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory modified for the Eye [NPSI-E]: 23.0 ± 18.6 vs. 19.8 ± 19.1 vs. 6.5 ± 9.0, p < 0.001). Ocular surface parameters and blood markers of inflammation were generally similar across groups.

Conclusion: Individuals with ME/CFS report increased ocular pain but similar DE signs, suggesting that mechanisms beyond the ocular surface contribute to symptoms.

Source: Victor Sanchez BS, Colin K. Kim BS, Elyana V. T. Locatelli BS, Adam K. Cohen, Kimberly Cabrera MS, Kristina Aenlle PhD, Nancy G. Klimas MD, Robert O’Brien PhD, Anat Galor MD, MSPH. Dry eye symptoms and signs in United States Gulf War era veterans with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. First published: 12 November 2023 https://doi.org/10.1111/ceo.14313 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ceo.14313 (Full text)

The Potential Role of Ocular and Otolaryngological Mucus Proteins in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Abstract:

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating illness associated with a constellation of other symptoms. While the most common symptom is unrelenting fatigue, many individuals also report suffering from rhinitis, dry eyes and a sore throat.

Mucin proteins are responsible for contributing to the formation of mucosal membranes throughout the body. These mucosal pathways contribute to the body’s defense mechanisms involving pathogenic onset. When compromised by pathogens the epithelium releases numerous cytokines and enters a prolonged state of inflammation to eradicate any particular infection.

Based on genetic analysis, and computational theory and modeling we hypothesize that mucin protein dysfunction may contribute to ME/CFS symptoms due to the inability to form adequate mucosal layers throughout the body, especially in the ocular and otolaryngological pathways leading to low grade chronic inflammation and the exacerbation of symptoms.

Source: Kaylin Huitsing, Tara Tritsch, Francisco J. Carrera Arias et al. The Potential Role of Ocular and Otolaryngological Mucus Proteins in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, 24 July 2023, PREPRINT (Version 1) available at Research Square [https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3171709/v1] https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-3171709/v1 (Full text)

 

Symptoms and signs of dry eye in US veterans with Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

Purpose: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is clinically defined as persistent and unexplainable post-exertional fatigue and can present with a wide range of cognitive, immunological, endocrinological, and autonomic symptoms. A notable feature of ME/CFS is its comorbidity with pain in multiple compartments. In this study, we examine ocular manifestations associated with ME/CFS, with a focus on ocular surface pain complaints.

Methods: We recruited 124 United States veterans and profiled them for symptoms and signs of dry eye (DE). Individuals were grouped by the presence (n=42) and absence (n=82) of ME/CFS.

Results: The mean age of the population was 55.49 ± 4.61 years, 88.7% of participants identified as male, 58.1% as White, and 39.5% as Hispanic. Demographics, medical comorbidities, and medication use were similar between groups except for depression (57.1% vs. 29.6%, p=0.003), and history of traumatic brain injury (9.5% vs. 1.2%, p=0.03) which were more prevalent in the ME/CFS group. Individuals with ME/CFS reported higher ocular surface pain complaints, both through DE specific questionnaires (Ocular Surface Disease Index, OSDI; 5-Item DE Questionnaire, DEQ-5) and pain specific questionnaires (Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory, modified for the Eye, NPSI-E; Numerical rating scale, NRS) (Table 1). Ocular surface parameters were similar between groups, except for persistent pain after topical anesthesia which was more frequent in the ME/CFS group (Table 2).

Conclusions: Individuals who met criteria for ME/CFS had more severe ocular surface pain, but similar signs of DE, compared to controls. This suggests that nerve, and not tear, abnormalities contribute to ocular surface pain in ME/CFS.

Source: Victor Sanchez; Colin Kim; Kimberly Cabrera; Elyana Vittoria Tessa Locatelli; Molly Johnson; Anat Galor. Symptoms and signs of dry eye in US veterans with Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science June 2023, Vol.64, 3978. https://iovs.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2790532 

The ocular signs and symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Chronic Fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a relatively newly defined clinical entity that affects multiple systems including the ocular system. These effects have not been well documented.

METHODS: 25 consecutive CFS patients were evaluated and the ocular signs and symptoms were described.

RESULTS: Significant ocular symptoms were present in all 25 patients. The most common clinical findings were abnormalities of the preocular tear film and ocular surface (19 patients) and reduced accommodation for age (18 patients).

CONCLUSIONS: CFS affects the ocular system in many ways. Eye care practitioners should pay particular attention to accommodative needs, ocular surface disease and tear film dysfunction when examining these patients. Further research into the pathophysiology of these ocular findings may lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of CFS.

 

Source: Caffery BE, Josephson JE, Samek MJ. The ocular signs and symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. J Am Optom Assoc. 1994 Mar;65(3):187-91. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8201170

 

Ocular manifestations of chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome

Abstract:

Chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS) is a disease presenting with systemic, sensory, cognitive, and psychological manifestations. Ocular symptomatology is reported in the visual, functional, perceptual, and pathological aspects of the visual system. The purpose of the research was to evaluate ocular symptoms in patients with CFIDS.

One hundred and ninety CFIDS patients [155 females, 35 males; mean age of 41 years (range 15 to 72)] and 198 healthy controls [133 females, 65 males; mean age of 42 years (range 8 to 89)] were surveyed via written questionnaire. Evaluation of data showed statistical significance at levels ranging from 0.0001 to 0.007 for all but one symptom surveyed. It appears that the ocular symptoms of CFIDS are genuine. Further research is needed to determine the etiology and appropriate treatment of this disease.

 

Source: Potaznick W, Kozol N. Ocular manifestations of chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome. Optom Vis Sci. 1992 Oct;69(10):811-4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1437004