Search

Paresthetic nostalgia is a little-known neuropathy that causes chronic itching in the back. It mainly affects middle-aged women and can have a significant impact on quality of life. Although its origin is unknown, it is believed to be either radicular or peripheral. Treatment includes topical and systemic medications, as well as physiotherapeutic procedures. Although it cannot be completely cured, symptoms can be controlled and improve the patient's quality of life. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on the incidental finding of a retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defect in a 57-year-old patient with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), emphasizing the importance of differentiating between glaucomatous and non-glaucomatous causes. Topics include the potential causes of RNFL defects, such as ischemic events, the manifestation of HIV retinopathy, and advancements in HIV treatment strategies, including long-acting injectable therapies and pre-exposure prophylaxis.

This article deals with the symptoms of Alport syndrome and Refsum disease as well as their genetic causes and treatment options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights a diagnosis of highpressure glaucoma along with its signs and symptoms. It mentions about Normal-tension glaucoma as a fairly common diagnosis in a glaucoma clinic but difficult to treat, and can often affect central vision before peripheral fields and also highlights neurodegenerative problems such as tumors or trauma to the optic nerve that cause signs and symptoms resembling those of normal-tension glaucoma.

The article offers information on post-surgical optic neuropathy (PCSON), which may arise within hours to days or even weeks to months after Cataract surgery and also mentions that PCSON has many of the clinical characteristics as spontaneous nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.

The article discusses the links of Glaucoma disease with several neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's and wether its evaluation should go beyond the visual pathway. It also focuses on associations such as Central Nervous System (CNS) and Glaucoma IMAGE for considering primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) as a neurodegenerative vision disor­der with the capability to spread throughout the brain, CSF Pressure and Glaucoma with presence of glaucoma and extent of glaucomatous optic neuropathy than intraocular pressure (IOP) and Alzheimer's Disease and Glaucoma test which suggests fluid biochemical­ markers in the Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) which revealed shared characteristics between Alzheimers and glaucoma. In addition it also talks about future possibility of knowing the mys­teries of the brain and glaucoma with additional scientific reports and research.

The article presents a case study of a 69-year old white male patient who complained of slightly decreased vision with computer tasks. It states that an analysis of posterior pole revealed advanced glaucomatous optic neuropathy. It notes the use of baseline measurements including optic nerve imaging and visual field testing. It mentions the use of reference databases to establish for each of the circle diameters of optic nerve.

The article discusses common optic nerve anomalies that are classified into 2 namely congenital and acquired. Topics include pathologic congenital anomalies like Optic nerve pits and Morning glory syndrome, Ischemic optic neuropathy caused due to decreased blood flow to the optic nerve and characteristics of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy. Importance of differentiation of benign from pathological conditions is mentioned as certain cases may require additional testings and interventions.

The article offers information on the 15th annual diabetes report released by the U.S. National Eye Institute. In noted that 40-45 percent of Americans were diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy (DR). It also discusses the Indian Health Service-Joslin Vision Network (IHSJVN) telemedicine program and standards for management and diagnosis of DR and also informs about the risks associated including renal failure, amputation and peripheral neuropathy.

The article offers information on an eye related disorder Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). It informs about the discovery of the disease by ophthalmologist Theodor Leber who explained the disorder to be an acute onset optic neuropathy that typically affects males in their 20s and invariably leads to bilateral optic atrophy and irreversible blindness. INSETS: Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy: A Maternally-Transmitted;Take Your VITAMINES.

The article discusses various subtypes of acute optic neuropathies. It defines acute optic neuropathies as a sudden decrease or loss of vision in one eye secondary to unilateral optic nerve swelling with a defined afferent pupillary defect (APD). It notes that the common acute optic neuropathies include ischemic optic neuropathy (ION), optic neuritis, and trauma. INSET: Treatment with Multiple Sclerosis.

The article focuses on understanding non-ocular complications of diabetes for optometrists. It mentions several short-term primary acute metabolic complications associated with diabetes including hyperglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and hypoglycemia. It says that diabetes is a major independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). It adds that neuropathy and poor circulation are the two complications of foot problems which can also cause ulceration.

The main focus of this article, part of a series on pain, is to describe the abnormal patterns that occur in persistent and neuropathic pain states. It provides an overview of the adjuvant medications available to treat this type of pain when it does not respond to conventional methods. Treatments described require the input of pain specialists; however, the purpose of this article is to encourage nurses to assess pain accurately and to identify symptoms of neuropathic pain, thereby improving patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, the sixth in a series on pain, aims to provide nurses with information about neuropathic pain, its causes, clinical presentation and treatment approaches, to assist in the management of patients with this condition. Neuropathic pain is a significant clinical problem. As a chronic condition it can cause distress and disability. It is important that symptoms are recognised promptly and appropriate treatments offered in a timely fashion to help reduce the burden of neuropathic pain and improve patients' quality of life. Nurses can play an important role in this process as they are often involved in pain assessment and can help to identify patients who may require neuropathic pain interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the diagnosis and the management of ischemic optic neuropathy (ION). It reveals that patients with both anterior and posterior ischemic optic neuropathy, which are the two types of ION, present with acute vision loss in one or both eyes that is not associated with pain. It also notes that ION is a major cause of blindness or significantly impaired vision and there are few definitive answers regarding its cause, clinical features and treatment.

This article, the first in a series written by pain nurse specialists, provides an overview of the nature, causes and structured management of acute, chronic and neuropathic pain. The differences between nociceptive and neuropathic pain, and treatment options are identified. The pain management service's roles are described in the context that a person's experience of pain is the result of biological, psychological and social factors. Future articles will explore the physiology and pharmacology of pain, how patients express pain and interventions for acute and chronic pain. They will also provide guidance on managing pain in challenging circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the consideration of perioperative ischemic optic neuropathy (PO-ION) in the absence of other causes for ION. The incidence is manipulated along with the frequency of surgeries at risk for with prolonged surgical times, high volume blood loss and perioperative anemia and hypotension. The possibility of periooperative vision loss to result from retinal vascular occlusions and cortical vision loss is cited.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is an upper limb entrapment neuropathy that can result in motor and sensory disturbance of the median nerve, affecting the hands. Treatment strategies may include the use of night splints, corticosteroid injections or surgical decompression. The aim of this article is to familiarise readers with carpal tunnel syndrome in relation to the relevant anatomy, signs, symptoms and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information concerning glaucoma including its etiology, diagnosis, risk factors and treatment. It notes that glaucoma is a disease that is defined and diagnosed by three fundamental presentations such as progressive ischemic optic neuropathy, elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and worsening visual field deficits. Risk factors include female gender, vasospasm and atherosclerosis and its treatment such as an examination of visual fields and examination of optic discs.

Complications associated with type 1 and type 2 diabetes can lead to microvascular and macrovascular damage, which can have financial implications for patients and the NHS, and affect quality of life. This article discusses the identification, management and prevention of complications associated with diabetes to relieve existing symptoms and reduce further damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on glaucoma, a group of eye diseases that involve progressive optic neuropathy. The clinical features of glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON) include abnormalities of the neuroretinal rim and disc haemorrhages. Glaucomas are a leading cause of visual morbidity throughout the world and it is expected that there will be 60.5 million cases of glaucoma by the year 2010.

The article presents information related to skin problems in diabetes. It is estimated that 30% of diabetics will have some skin-related problem at some stage of their illness. The most serious conditions are those related to a combination of three factors: microvascular disease, dry skin and the common neuropathy. Information on the diagnosis and management of some commonly seen conditions are presented including corns and callus, ulceration and necrobiosis lipoidica.

The article presents information on a case study, in which an 82-year-old woman presents with chronic burning lower leg pain that is worse at night. Chronic burning pain is a common symptom and often attributed to neuropathic pain. In determining the cause of neuropathic pain, history and examination are important. If it is neuropathic they may describe it as bilateral pain in the toes and feet that may have progressed up the calves to the knees. Allodynia, pain due to an innocuous stimulus, or hyperalgesia, increased pain to a painful stimulus can occur. Most cases of chronic burning lower leg pain are due to neuropathic pain and an underlying neuropathy.

Musculoskeletal problems account for about 25% of general practitioner consultations. Pain is the primary complaint in 80% of these patients, certainly in those who are referred to secondary care. How bad pain seems relates to many factors other than the severity of the cause. Uncertainty about the cause and fear of serious consequences have powerful effects on the perception of the pain. In arthritis, chronicity is the problem. The prospect of continuing pain is very difficult to cope with. One interesting drug that is licensed only for neuropathic pain is gabapentin. It may work in musculoskeletal disease. Topical capsaisin cream at its lower strength is licensed for the treatment of osteoarthritis. INSET: Box 1. NICE guidance on Cox-2s.

A 48-year-old female presented with complaints of severe, persistent, burning pain and foreign body sensation in both eyes for the past year. Examination was unremarkable except for a few punctate epithelial erosions bilaterally. The patient showed a poor response to frequent instillations of artificial tears and cyclosporine eye drops. In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) revealed damages of small corneal nerve fibers, which could be consistent with a diagnosis of neuropathic corneal pain (NCP). Subsequently, a diagnosis of painful small fiber neuropathy (SFN) was confirmed by a positive serum IgM binding to trisulfated heparin disaccharide (TS- HDS) using an ELISA method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on traumatic optic neuropathy which results from a blunt injury to the head or face. It states that sudden and gradual losses of vision are the major symptoms of optic neuropathy. It notes that the three ocular treatment options for optic neuropathy are observation, systemic corticosteroid therapy and optic nerve decompression surgery. It reveals that computed tomography (CT) is the preferable technique in the assessment of bony fractures of the orbit or skull.

The article discusses the case study about a 50-year-old male patient who was diagnosed with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) in the left eye following the coronary artery bypass graft surgery. It is an operation performed to prevent heart attack and relieve the angina with ocular complications like NAION and symptoms of headache and jaw claudication. His severe vascular disease, low hemoglobin level and history of smoking may lead to some cause of his condition.

This article reports that patient with arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AAION) will typically be elderly, amaurosis fugax or intermittent diplopia and ophthalmoparesis that may precede AAION. In the case of AAION, the patient will usually present with a prodrome of anorexia, weight loss, decreased appetite, fever, and malaise. AAION is caused by infarction of the short posterior ciliary arteries supplying the anterior optic nerve. Studies involving fluorescein angiography and color Doppler imaging readily demonstrate massive non-filling of posterior ciliary arteries and massive delay in complete choroidal filling times.

This article discusses sequential visual loss. The differential diagnosis at this time included nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy from giant cell arteritis. A stat erythrocyte sedimentation rate was then obtained, which was 25 mm/hr. A carotid ultrasound study was also performed, which was normal. The patient returned 3 weeks later to her local ophthalmologist. She stated that her OS vision had improved but that her OD vision had deteriorated 2 weeks earlier.

The article reports the available treatment optics of patients diagnosed with non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Topics discussed include the case study of a 58-year old man diagnosed with NAION, his medical history and diagnostic methods, along with the recommended treatment method.

The article discusses symptoms, causes, and cure of pheochromocytoma diseases. Topics include the pheochromocytoma tumors occurring post-secondary hypertension and its development into malignancy, the primary symptom of the pheochromocytoma being hypertension, and various symptoms with hypertensive retinopathy and choroidopathy.

Presents information on the research conducted to determine the cause, treatment and prevention of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). Signs and symptoms of NAION; Cause of the disease; Prognosticating factors in the diagnosis of the disease; Pathology of the disease; Treatment of the eye disease.

The article discusses a study by Massachusetts Eye and Ear/Harvard Medical School researchers on the inflammatory factors, prevention, and treatment of optic neuropathy following keratoprosthesis (KPro) implantation. Topics include the potential of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa) to halt optic nerve damage, the comment of doctor Reza Dana on using a mouse model for the KPro and identifying the inflammatory factors, and the optic neuropathy's progression.

The article gives information on diagnosis and treatment of vision disorder due to optic nerve damage, toxic and nutritional optic neuropathy (TNOP). It states that signs and symptoms of the disease such as visual acuity reduced, abnormality in optic nerve and optic atrophy and reports that TNOP is caused due to exposure to or ingestion of a toxic substance. It gives information risk factors and clinical challenges associated with the disease.

The article presents a case study of a woman with symptoms of optic disc pallor and asymmetric cupping. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) followed by cerebral angiography reported an internal carotid artery para-ophthalmic aneurysm. The article also advices Neuro-ophthalmologists to perform detailed diagnoses on patients with optic nerve asymmetry in order to detect diseased like glaucomatous optic neuropathy (GON) and non-glaucomatous optic neuropathy (NGON)

A correction is presented to the article "Are You Missing these Optic Neuropathies?" which appeared in the February 2017 issue.

The article presents several case studies that provide self-care recommendations for patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It emphasizes how important foot care is for minimizing T2DM complications associated with neuropathy and infection, and also discusses the pros and cons of using garlic supplements for lowering glycated hemogloblin (A1C) levels. It also discusses the immunization needs of a 32-year-old female with gestational diabetes, six months into her second pregnancy.

The article presents a review of medical conditions which stimulated the interest of clinicians in Africa. The clinical presentations of uncommon stroke syndromes are highlighted which include lateral pontine syndrome, superior cerebellar artery syndrome and ventral prontine syndrome. A study which reports cases of burning feet syndrome, a tropical syndrome of painful neuropathy, is outlined.

The article reports on a study which found that hypertension and renal disease are primary risk factors for ethambutol-induced optic neuropathy.

The article focuses on the development of treatment options for non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) to improve natural history and at-risk factor reduction. It notes the changes in the approach arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AAION) of physicians. It points out that the options should be better than the natural history.

The article presents a case study of a 45-year-old lady who never wore spectacles or had ocular problems. She was in good health but reported photophobia and watery eyes for one week and blurred vision for two days. It was found that her problems were due to right anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy. She was suffering from Foster Kennedy syndrome and with a variety of imaging skills it was treated successfully.

The article reports on several presentations related to diabetes related to peripheral neuropathy, holmes-Adie pupil and reports on the pathopathology of Holmes-Adie pupil. It reports on the current medication for periphral neuropathy which includes Tamsulosin for prostate enlargement and diclofenac for pain. It reports that the nervous system consists of the central nervous system which is made up of the brain and spinal cord while the peripheral nervous system consists of nerves.

The article discusses a condition of a 59-year-old American male who opted for a second opinion concerning blurred distant and near vision. However, the patient's eyes were healthy but were noted to have significant glaucomatous optic neuropathy in both eyes which was evident under bilateral stereoscopic disc evaluation. Moreover, his case serves as a good example of forensic optometry, which illustrates a failure of a previous optical care provider to diagnose the patient with glaucoma.

The article provides insights on concepts in glaucoma diagnosis and management. Doctors Jim Thimons and Peter Libre cited the need to consider such critical issues as the recognition of a link between sleep dysfunction and glaucoma. Thimons added that diurnal intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements are important. They advised optometrists to note the size of the optic disc while using the cup-to-disc ratio to examine optic neuropathy. Thimons explained that 90% of eyes might be considered as having glaucoma when looking at the cup-to-disc ratio only.