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Surgical Procedures
This page offers a general overview of surgical procedures performed by
the ophthalmologist Maurice Mosseri, MD (eye doctor) of Glaucoma Consultants of New York. For more in-depth information on
these procedures, please follow the links in the right-hand column.
To schedule an
appointment with the ophthalmologist (eye doctor), or if you have any
questions pertaining to your eyes, please feel free to contact Board
Certified Ophthalmologist, Maurice Mosseri, MD at any of his New York
offices - Manhattan, Queens, or Brooklyn - or send an email to
info@drmosseri.com.
Cataract Surgery
A cataract is a clouded lens that blurs vision. Fortunately, modern
cataract microsurgery is one of the most successful procedures performed
in medicine. For this reason, over one million cataract extractions are
performed each year in the United States. A common misconception is that a
cataract must be "ripe" to be removed. This was only true when cataracts
were removed with older techniques. With modern surgery, however, we can
help people who have cataracts that cause vision problems such as blurred
vision, difficulty reading, difficulty watching television, glare or
difficulty seeing at night or judging distances, etc.
Another misconception about cataract surgery is "I'm too old to see again
and too old to have surgery". Using modern techniques, cataract surgery is
done as an outpatient with minimal stress. Patients will go home the same
day and can resume normal activities right away. Most patients don't need
a patch since the cataract surgery is usually done without any needles
(anesthetic drops are used instead) and usually no stitches are needed.
Modern cataract surgery technique allows people on blood thinners to have
surgery because the cataract surgery does not cause bleeding. The rapid
rehabilitation after cataract surgery is one of the great advantages of
using this modern techniques called phacoemulsification.
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Cataract Surgery Facts:
 More than one
million cataract surgeries are performed each year in the United States.
Cataract surgery has
become one of the safest and most successful procedures in all of
medicine.
A cataract is a clouding of the eye's internal lens, which interferes with
the individual's ability to see clearly.
At present, there is
no way to eliminate a cataract other than surgically removing it.
Virtually
everyone undergoing cataract surgery will have a artificial lens implant placed in the
eye to replace the eye's natural lens. This lens implant will take over
the focusing function of the eye's original lens.
The great majority of
cataracts are the result of aging, which causes chemical changes in the
natural lens of the eye and interferes with its clarity. However, the age
at which a cataract affects someone's vision varies dramatically, from as
early as the fifties to as late as the eighties or beyond.
Many people with
cataracts, in fact, can see quite well, and are not in need of cataract
surgery. It is only when the cataract impairs vision to the extent that
activities like reading or driving become difficult that surgery may be
necessary.
Cataract surgery is
almost always an outpatient procedure, done under local anesthesia.
The eye is always numbed usually with an
eye-drop anesthetic. If a person desires, a mild sedative is given to make
them somewhat drowsy during the procedure.
Cataract surgery is
performed under a microscope to provide a magnified view of the eye. A
small incision is made in the eye, and the front surface of the cataract
is opened to allow access to the clouded tissue inside. The cloudy portion
is then removed, leaving the thin clear back surface of the lens in place.
Cataract surgery can
be done either with a computer driven automated device called a phacoemulsifier or
manually with instruments. Almost all surgery that Dr. Mosseri performs is with the
state of the art phacoemulsifier, performing what is called
phacoemulsification. Rarely, some patients may have conditions that
require the older approaches called extracapsular or intracapsular
cataract extraction. After the cataract is removed the lens implant is
then placed in the shell of the natural lens, and the incision is closed.
Patients return home
after their cataract surgery, and are usually examined the following day.
Eye drops are used to accelerate the healing process and prevent infection.
Patients can watch TV, read and
do normal activities the same day, and return to work the same day or the
following day.
Glaucoma Surgery
Glaucoma is a general word used to describe diseases that HAVE or COULD
damage the optic nerve, the "cable" that carries vision to the brain.
There are two general categories of glaucoma: open angle glaucoma and
closed angle glaucoma. Open angle glaucoma is the most common type. In
this disease, the pressure in the eye is higher than the optic nerve can
tolerate. This pressure causes damage to the nerve, gradually robbing the
person of their side vision, oftentimes without the person realizing the
loss until most of their vision is gone. For this reason, it has been
called the "Silent thief of vision". Therefore, all people over the age of
forty should be specifically examined for glaucoma.
A common misconception is that a pressure less than twenty-one is "normal"
- it is not often realized that some eyes cannot tolerate a pressure of
twenty-one- every person is different. Glaucoma Consultants of New York
can determine the safe pressure of twenty-one - since every person is
different.
The visual field is tested in the office with a computerized diagnosis
test. Individuals at particular risk for open angle glaucoma are : very
nearsighted people, African-Americans, Jewish people from Eastern-European
origin, Russian / Scandinavian ethnic groups, diabetics, and people with a
family history of glaucoma. Asians are at particular risk for "normal
pressure glaucoma", a type of open angle glaucoma diagnosed with the eye
pressure less than twenty-one.
Glaucoma surgery is
microsurgery that is performed on the eye. The standard procedure is
called a trabeculectomy which can be used in both open angle and closed
angle glaucoma as well as secondary glaucoma. In more complex glaucoma
another procedure called a seton tube implantation is performed where a
small artificial tube is placed in the eye to lower the intraocular
pressure.
Trabeculectomy
A trabeculectomy is almost
always performed as an outpatient surgical procedure.
A
local anesthetic is given to numb the eye. The anesthesiologist can also
administer a mild sedative to relieve anxiety.
Using the microsope, the
surgeon makes a small opening in the sclera that allows the intraocular
fluid to bypass the body’s clogged drainage canals and flow through the
newly created drainage canal.
The
body’s own clear tissue called the conjunctiva is used to cover the
opening, creating a small elevation called a “bleb”. This bleb is
usually hidden underneath the upper lid..
A
patch and shield is placed over the eye, and the patient goes home that
same day.
Most
people can move around and resume their normal non-strenuous activities
soon after going home-you can cook, watch TV, read, go for walks, etc.
Strenuous activities and exercise are avoided during the post-operative
period.
Seton Tube Implant
The
tube implantation is done as an outpatient procedure under local
anesthesia.
The procedure is similar to
the trabeculectomy in principle, with an artificial tube being placed to
allow drainage of intraocular fluid to a reservoir on the surface of the
eye.
A
patch and shield is placed over the eye, and the patient goes home that
same day.
Most
people can move around and resume their normal non-strenuous activities
soon after going home-you can cook, watch TV, read, go for walks, etc.
Strenuous activities and exercise are avoided during the post-operative
period.
Glaucoma Laser Procedures
A laser is a focused beam of light that can be used to treat a variety of
medical conditions.
There are several types of laser procedures that are used to treat
glaucoma including:
Laser Iridotomy
 used in acute, chronic and intermittent angle closure.
a laser opening is created in the iris allowing fluid to bypass pupillary
blockage, widen the passageway to the drains and restore a more normal
relationship between the iris and the drainage system (trabecular
meshwork)
Laser Iridoplasty
used in certain types of angle closure, especially after a laser iridotomy has not sufficiently opened the passageway to the eye’s drainage
system called the trabecular meshwork..
a laser is used to move the iris away from the drain
Laser Trabeculoplasty
-used in open angle glaucoma
-a laser is used to treat the eye’s drainage system directly, helping the
drain work better.
Laser Cyclophotocoagulation
used only in the most advanced, resistant glaucoma
a laser is used to decrease the production of fluid in the eye.
Corneal Diseases
Glaucoma Consultants of New York specialize in treating corneal
diseases.
The most common diseases and
disorders, Board Certified Ophthalmologist, Maurice Mosseri, MD treats
in his Manhattan, Queens, and Bronx, New York office include:
Allergies
Allergies affecting the eye are fairly common. The most common allergies
are those related to pollen, particularly when the weather is warm and
dry. Symptoms can include redness, itching, tearing, burning, stinging,
and watery discharge, although they are not usually severe enough to
require medical attention. Antihistamine decongestant eye drops can
effectively reduce these symptoms, as does rain and cooler weather, which
decreases the amount of pollen in the air.
An increasing number of eye allergy cases are related to medications and
contact lens wear. Also, animal hair and certain cosmetics, such as
mascara, face creams, and eyebrow pencil, can cause allergies that affect
the eye. Touching or rubbing eyes after handling nail polish, soaps, or
chemicals may cause an allergic reaction. Some people have sensitivity to
lip gloss and eye makeup.
Conjunctivitis
(Pink Eye)
Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye) describes a group of diseases that cause
swelling, itching, burning, and redness of the conjunctiva, the protective
membrane that lines the eyelids and covers exposed areas of the sclera, or
white of the eye. Conjunctivitis can spread from one person to another and
affects millions of Americans at any given time. Conjunctivitis can be
caused by a bacterial or viral infection, allergy, environmental
irritants, a contact lens product, eye drops, or eye ointments.
At its onset, conjunctivitis is usually painless and does not adversely
affect vision. The infection will clear in most cases without requiring
medical care. But for some forms of conjunctivitis, treatment will be
needed. If treatment is delayed, the infection may worsen and cause
corneal inflammation and a loss of vision.
Corneal Infections
Sometimes the cornea is damaged after a foreign object has penetrated the
tissue, such as from a poke in the eye. At other times, bacteria or fungi
from a contaminated contact lens can pass into the cornea. Situations like
these can cause painful inflammation and corneal infections called
keratitis. These infections can reduce visual clarity, produce corneal
discharges, and perhaps erode the cornea. Corneal infections can also lead
to corneal scarring, which can impair vision and may require a corneal
transplant.
As a general rule, the deeper the corneal infection, the more severe the
symptoms and complications. It should be noted that corneal infections,
although relatively infrequent, are the most serious complication of
contact lens wear.
Minor corneal infections are commonly treated with anti-bacterial eye
drops. If the problem is severe, it may require more intensive antibiotic
or anti-fungal treatment to eliminate the infection, as well as steroid
eye drops to reduce inflammation. Frequent visits to an eye care
professional may be necessary for several months to eliminate the problem.
Dry Eye
The continuous production and drainage of tears is important to the
eye's health. Tears keep the eye moist, help wounds heal, and protect
against eye infection. In people with dry eye, the eye produces fewer or
less quality tears and is unable to keep its surface lubricated and
comfortable.
The tear film consists of three layers--an outer, oily (lipid) layer that
keeps tears from evaporating too quickly and helps tears remain on the
eye; a middle (aqueous) layer that nourishes the cornea and conjunctiva;
and a bottom (mucin) layer that helps to spread the aqueous layer across
the eye to ensure that the eye remains wet. As we age, the eyes usually
produce fewer tears. Also, in some cases, the lipid and mucin layers
produced by the eye are of such poor quality that tears cannot remain in
the eye long enough to keep the eye sufficiently lubricated.
The main symptom of dry eye is usually a scratchy or sandy feeling as if
something is in the eye. Other symptoms may include stinging or burning of
the eye; episodes of excess tearing that follow periods of very dry
sensation; a stringy discharge from the eye; and pain and redness of the
eye. Sometimes people with dry eye experience heaviness of the eyelids or
blurred, changing, or decreased vision, although loss of vision is
uncommon.
Dry eye is more common in women, especially after menopause. Surprisingly,
some people with dry eye may have tears that run down their cheeks. This
is because the eye may be producing less of the lipid and mucin layers of
the tear film, which help keep tears in the eye. When this happens, tears
do not stay in the eye long enough to thoroughly moisten it.
Dry eye can occur in climates with dry air, as well as with the use of
some drugs, including antihistamines, nasal decongestants, tranquilizers,
and anti-depressant drugs. People with dry eye should let their health
care providers know all the medications they are taking, since some of
them may intensify dry eye symptoms.
People with connective tissue diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can
also develop dry eye. It is important to note that dry eye is sometimes a
symptom of Sjögren's syndrome, a disease that attacks the body's
lubricating glands, such as the tear and salivary glands. A complete
physical examination may diagnose any underlying diseases.
Artificial tears, which lubricate the eye, are the principal treatment for
dry eye. They are available over-the-counter as eye drops. Sterile
ointments are sometimes used at night to help prevent the eye from drying.
Using humidifiers, wearing wrap-around glasses when outside, and avoiding
outside windy and dry conditions may bring relief. For people with severe
cases of dry eye, temporary or permanent closure of the tear drain (small
openings at the inner corner of the eyelids where tears drain from the
eye) may be helpful.
Fuchs'
Dystrophy
Fuchs' dystrophy is a slowly
progressing disease that usually affects both eyes and is slightly more
common in women than in men. Although doctors can often see early signs of
Fuchs' dystrophy in people in their 30s and 40s, the disease rarely
affects vision until people reach their 50s and 60s.
Fuchs' dystrophy occurs when endothelial cells gradually deteriorate
without any apparent reason. As more endothelial cells are lost over the
years, the endothelium becomes less efficient at pumping water out of the
stroma. This causes the cornea to swell and distort vision. Eventually,
the epithelium also takes on water, resulting in pain and severe visual
impairment.
Epithelial swelling damages vision by changing the cornea's normal
curvature, and causing a sight-impairing haze to appear in the tissue.
Epithelial swelling will also produce tiny blisters on the corneal
surface. When these blisters burst, they are extremely painful.
At first, a person with Fuchs' dystrophy will awaken with blurred vision
that will gradually clear during the day. This occurs because the cornea
is normally thicker in the morning; it retains fluids during sleep that
evaporate in the tear film while we are awake. As the disease worsens,
this swelling will remain constant and reduce vision throughout the day.
When treating the disease, doctors will try first to reduce the swelling
with drops, ointments, or soft contact lenses. They also may instruct a
person to use a hair dryer, held at arm's length or directed across the
face, to dry out the epithelial blisters. This can be done two or three
times a day.
When the disease interferes with daily activities, a person may need to
consider having a corneal transplant to restore sight. The short-term
success rate of corneal transplantation is quite good for people with
Fuchs' dystrophy. However, some studies suggest that the long-term
survival of the new cornea can be a problem.
Herpes Zoster
(Shingles)
Herpes Zoster (Shingles) infection is produced by the varicella-zoster
virus, the same virus that causes chickenpox. After an initial outbreak of
chickenpox (often during childhood), the virus remains inactive within the
nerve cells of the central nervous system. But in some people, the
varicella-zoster virus will reactivate at another time in their lives.
When this occurs, the virus travels down long nerve fibers and infects
some part of the body, producing a blistering rash (shingles), fever,
painful inflammations of the affected nerve fibers, and a general feeling
of sluggishness.
Varicella-zoster virus may travel to the head and neck, perhaps involving
an eye, part of the nose, cheek, and forehead. In about 40 percent of
those with shingles in these areas, the virus infects the cornea. Doctors
will often prescribe oral anti-viral treatment to reduce the risk of the
virus infecting cells deep within the tissue, which could inflame and scar
the cornea. The disease may also cause decreased corneal sensitivity,
meaning that foreign matter, such as eyelashes, in the eye are not felt as
keenly. For many, this decreased sensitivity will be permanent.
Although shingles can occur in anyone exposed to the varicella-zoster
virus, research has established two general risk factors for the disease:
(1) Advanced age; and (2) A weakened immune system. Studies show that
people over age 80 have a five times greater chance of having shingles
than adults between the ages of 20 and 40. Unlike herpes simplex I, the
varicella-zoster virus does not usually flare up more than once in adults
with normally functioning immune systems.
Be aware that corneal problems may arise months after the shingles are
gone. For this reason, it is important that people who have had facial
shingles schedule follow-up eye examinations.
Iridocorneal
Endothelial Syndrome
More common in women and usually diagnosed between ages 30-50,
iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome has three main features: (1)
Visible changes in the iris, the colored part of the eye that regulates
the amount of light entering the eye; (2) Swelling of the cornea; and (3)
The development of glaucoma, a disease that can cause severe vision loss
when normal fluid inside the eye cannot drain properly. ICE is usually
present in only one eye.
ICE syndrome is actually a grouping of three closely linked conditions:
iris nevus (or Cogan-Reese) syndrome; Chandler's syndrome; and essential
(progressive) iris atrophy (hence the acronym ICE). The most common
feature of this group of diseases is the movement of endothelial cells off
the cornea onto the iris. This loss of cells from the cornea often leads
to corneal swelling, distortion of the iris, and variable degrees of
distortion of the pupil, the adjustable opening at the center of the iris
that allows varying amounts of light to enter the eye. This cell movement
also plugs the fluid outflow channels of the eye, causing glaucoma.
The cause of this disease is unknown. While we do not yet know how to keep
ICE syndrome from progressing, the glaucoma associated with the disease
can be treated with medication, and a corneal transplant can treat the
corneal swelling.
Keratoconus
Keratoconus is a disorder of
progressive thinning of the cornea--is the most common corneal dystrophy
in the U.S., affecting one in every 2000 Americans. It is more prevalent
in teenagers and adults in their 20s. Keratoconus arises when the middle
of the cornea thins and gradually bulges outward, forming a rounded cone
shape. This abnormal curvature changes the cornea's refractive power,
producing moderate to severe distortion (astigmatism) and blurriness
(nearsightedness) of vision. Keratoconus may also cause swelling and a
sight-impairing scarring of the tissue.
Studies indicate that keratoconus stems from one of several possible
causes:
An inherited corneal abnormality. About seven percent of those with the
condition have a family history of keratoconus.
An eye injury, i.e., excessive eye rubbing or wearing hard contact lenses
for many years.
Certain eye diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa, retinopathy of
prematurity, and vernal keratoconjunctivitis.
Systemic diseases, such as Leber's congenital amaurosis, Ehlers-Danlos
syndrome, Down syndrome, and osteogenesis imperfecta.
Keratoconus usually affects both eyes. At first, people can correct their
vision with eyeglasses. But as the astigmatism worsens, they must rely on
specially fitted contact lenses to reduce the distortion and provide
better vision. Although finding a comfortable contact lens can be an
extremely frustrating and difficult process, it is crucial because a
poorly fitting lens could further damage the cornea and make wearing a
contact lens intolerable.
In most cases, the cornea will stabilize after a few years without ever
causing severe vision problems. But in about 10 to 20 percent of people
with keratoconus, the cornea will eventually become too scarred or will
not tolerate a contact lens. If either of these problems occur, a corneal
transplant may be needed. This operation is successful in more than 90
percent of those with advanced keratoconus. Several studies have also
reported that 80 percent or more of these patients have 20/40 vision or
better after the operation.
Lattice
Dystrophy
Lattice dystrophy gets its name
from an accumulation of amyloid deposits, or abnormal protein fibers,
throughout the middle and anterior stroma. During an eye examination, the
doctor sees these deposits in the stroma as clear, comma-shaped
overlapping dots and branching filaments, creating a lattice effect. Over
time, the lattice lines will grow opaque and involve more of the stroma.
They will also gradually converge, giving the cornea a cloudiness that may
also reduce vision.
In some people, these abnormal protein fibers can accumulate under the
cornea's outer layer--the epithelium. This can cause erosion of the
epithelium. This condition is known as recurrent epithelial erosion. These
erosions: (1) Alter the cornea's normal curvature, resulting in temporary
vision problems; and (2) Expose the nerves that line the cornea, causing
severe pain. Even the involuntary act of blinking can be painful.
To ease this pain, a doctor may prescribe eye drops and ointments to
reduce the friction on the eroded cornea. In some cases, an eye patch may
be used to immobilize the eyelids. With effective care, these erosions
usually heal within three days, although occasional sensations of pain may
occur for the next six-to-eight weeks.
By about age 40, some people with lattice dystrophy will have scarring
under the epithelium, resulting in a haze on the cornea that can greatly
obscure vision. In this case, a corneal transplant may be needed. Although
people with lattice dystrophy have an excellent chance for a successful
transplant, the disease may also arise in the donor cornea in as little as
three years. In one study, about half of the transplant patients with
lattice dystrophy had a recurrence of the disease from between two to 26
years after the operation. Of these, 15 percent required a second corneal
transplant. Early lattice and recurrent lattice arising in the donor
cornea responds well to treatment with the excimer laser.
Although lattice dystrophy can occur at any time in life, the condition
usually arises in children between the ages of two and seven.
Map-Dot-Fingerprint
Dystrophy
This dystrophy occurs when the
epithelium's basement membrane develops abnormally (the basement membrane
serves as the foundation on which the epithelial cells, which absorb
nutrients from tears, anchor and organize themselves). When the basement
membrane develops abnormally, the epithelial cells cannot properly adhere
to it. This, in turn, causes recurrent epithelial erosions, in which the
epithelium's outermost layer rises slightly, exposing a small gap between
the outermost layer and the rest of the cornea.
Epithelial erosions can be a chronic problem. They may alter the cornea's
normal curvature, causing periodic blurred vision. They may also expose
the nerve endings that line the tissue, resulting in moderate to severe
pain lasting as long as several days. Generally, the pain will be worse on
awakening in the morning. Other symptoms include sensitivity to light,
excessive tearing, and foreign body sensation in the eye.
Map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy, which tends to occur in both eyes, usually
affects adults between the ages of 40 and 70, although it can develop
earlier in life. Also known as epithelial basement membrane dystrophy,
map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy gets its name from the unusual appearance of
the cornea during an eye examination. Most often, the affected epithelium
will have a map-like appearance, i.e., large, slightly gray outlines that
look like a continent on a map. There may also be clusters of opaque dots
underneath or close to the map-like patches. Less frequently, the
irregular basement membrane will form concentric lines in the central
cornea that resemble small fingerprints.
Typically, map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy will flare up occasionally for a
few years and then go away on its own, with no lasting loss of vision.
Most people never know that they have map-dot-fingerprint dystrophy, since
they do not have any pain or vision loss. However, if treatment is needed,
doctors will try to control the pain associated with the epithelial
erosions. They may patch the eye to immobilize it, or prescribe
lubricating eye drops and ointments. With treatment, these erosions
usually heal within three days, although periodic flashes of pain may
occur for several weeks thereafter. Other treatments include anterior
corneal punctures to allow better adherence of cells; corneal scraping to
remove eroded areas of the cornea and allow regeneration of healthy
epithelial tissue; and use of the excimer laser to remove surface
irregularities.
Ocular Herpes
Herpes of the eye, or ocular
herpes, is a recurrent viral infection that is caused by the herpes
simplex virus and is the most common infectious cause of corneal blindness
in the U.S. Previous studies show that once people develop ocular herpes,
they have up to a 50 percent chance of having a recurrence. This second
flare-up could come weeks or even years after the initial occurrence.
Ocular herpes can produce a painful sore on the eyelid or surface of the
eye and cause inflammation of the cornea. Prompt treatment with anti-viral
drugs helps to stop the herpes virus from multiplying and destroying
epithelial cells. However, the infection may spread deeper into the cornea
and develop into a more severe infection called stromal keratitis, which
causes the body's immune system to attack and destroy stromal cells.
Stromal keratitis is more difficult to treat than less severe ocular
herpes infections. Recurrent episodes of stromal keratitis can cause
scarring of the cornea, which can lead to loss of vision and possibly
blindness.
Like other herpetic infections, herpes of the eye can be controlled. An
estimated 400,000 Americans have had some form of ocular herpes. Each
year, nearly 50,000 new and recurring cases are diagnosed in the United
States, with the more serious stromal keratitis accounting for about 25
percent. In one large study, researchers found that recurrence rate of
ocular herpes was 10 percent within one year, 23 percent within two years,
and 63 percent within 20 years. Some factors believed to be associated
with recurrence include fever, stress, sunlight, and eye injury.
Pterygium
A pterygium is a pinkish,
triangular-shaped tissue growth on the cornea. Some pterygia grow slowly
throughout a person's life, while others stop growing after a certain
point. A pterygium rarely grows so large that it begins to cover the pupil
of the eye.
Pterygia are more common in sunny climates and in the 20-40 age group.
Scientists do not know what causes pterygia to develop. However, since
people who have pterygia usually have spent a significant time outdoors,
many doctors believe ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun may be a factor.
In areas where sunlight is strong, wearing protective eyeglasses,
sunglasses, and/or hats with brims are suggested. While some studies
report a higher prevalence of pterygia in men than in women, this may
reflect different rates of exposure to UV light.
Because a pterygium is visible, many people want to have it removed for
cosmetic reasons. It is usually not too noticeable unless it becomes red
and swollen from dust or air pollutants. Surgery to remove a pterygium is
not recommended unless it affects vision. If a pterygium is surgically
removed, it may grow back, particularly if the patient is less than 40
years of age. Lubricants can reduce the redness and provide relief from
the chronic irritation.
Stevens-Johnson
Syndrome
Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS),
also called erythema multiforme major, is a disorder of the skin that can
also affect the eyes. SJS is characterized by painful, blistery lesions on
the skin and the mucous membranes (the thin, moist tissues that line body
cavities) of the mouth, throat, genital region, and eyelids. SJS can cause
serious eye problems, such as severe conjunctivitis; iritis, an
inflammation inside the eye; corneal blisters and erosions; and corneal
holes. In some cases, the ocular complications from SJS can be disabling
and lead to severe vision loss.
Scientists are not certain why SJS develops. The most commonly cited cause
of SJS is an adverse allergic drug reaction. Almost any drug--but most
particularly sulfa drugs--can cause SJS. The allergic reaction to the drug
may not occur until 7-14 days after first using it. SJS can also be
preceded by a viral infection, such as herpes or the mumps, and its
accompanying fever, sore throat, and sluggishness. Treatment for the eye
may include artificial tears, antibiotics, or corticosteroids. About
one-third of all patients diagnosed with SJS have recurrences of the
disease.
SJS occurs twice as often in men as women, and most cases appear in
children and young adults under 30, although it can develop in people at
any age.
To
schedule an appointment with the eye doctor or if you have any surgical or nonsurgical
questions pertaining to your eyes, please feel free to contact Board
Certified Ophthalmologist, Maurice Mosseri, MD at either his Queens,
Brooklyn, or Manhattan, New York
office or send an email to
info@drmosseri.com.
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