- Main symptoms
- How to confirm the diagnosis
- How the treatment is done
- What can cause ocular tuberculosis
- How to prevent tuberculosis
Ocular tuberculosis arises when the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis , which causes tuberculosis in the lung, infects the eye, causing symptoms such as blurred vision and hypersensitivity to light. This infection may also be known as tuberculosis uveitis, as it causes inflammation of the structures of the uvea of the eye.
This type of infection is more frequent in patients with HIV, in patients already infected with tuberculosis elsewhere in the body or in people who live in places without basic sanitation for the treatment of sewage and wastewater.
Ocular tuberculosis is curable, however, the treatment takes time and can last from 6 months to 2 years, with the use of antibiotics recommended by the ophthalmologist.
Main symptoms
The two main symptoms of ocular tuberculosis are blurred vision and hypersensitivity to light. However, other signs such as:
- Red eyes; Burning sensation in the eyes; Decreased vision; Pupils of different sizes; Pain in the eyes; Headache.
These symptoms are not present in all cases and can vary greatly depending on the affected site, which is usually the sclera or uvea of the eye.
Often, these symptoms can arise when the person is already diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis and, therefore, it is important to inform the doctor since it may be necessary to change the antibiotic used.
See other common causes of redness in the eyes, other than tuberculosis.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of ocular tuberculosis is almost always made by observing the symptoms and assessing the clinical history of each person. However, the doctor may order a laboratory analysis of the liquid in the eye to confirm the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis .
How the treatment is done
The treatment is done in the same way as the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis and, therefore, it is started with the use of 4 remedies, which include Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide and Etambutol, for about 2 months.
After that time, the ophthalmologist advises the use of 2 of these remedies, usually for another 4 to 10 months, to ensure that the bacteria is completely eliminated from the body. In some cases, drops of corticosteroid medication may also be prescribed to relieve the symptoms of itching and burning during treatment.
Since the treatment takes time, it is very important to follow all the doctor's instructions, so that the bacteria are eliminated and do not continue to develop, becoming stronger and harder to eliminate.
Here are some tips to speed up TB treatment.
What can cause ocular tuberculosis
The bacteria responsible for the appearance of ocular tuberculosis can be transmitted from one infected person to another through small drops of saliva, which are released by coughing, sneezing or talking, for example.
So, whenever someone is diagnosed with tuberculosis, whether it is ocular, pulmonary or cutaneous tuberculosis, it is very important that all the closest people, such as family members or friends, get tested to see if they have the bacteria, since it may take several days or weeks before the first symptoms appear.
How to prevent tuberculosis
The best ways to avoid contagion with tuberculosis are to vaccinate against the disease and avoid close contact with infected people, avoiding the exchange of cutlery, brushes or other objects that may come into contact with other people's saliva.
Better understand how TB infection works and how to protect yourself.
