Syphilis: an ancient foe with multiple faces.
Syphilis can have a multitude of different ophthalmological presentations. The authors present a case of a 59-year-old man, with complaints of bilateral blurred vision starting 6 months before. His best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 in both eyes. Ophthalmological examination revealed bilateral superotemporal retinal oedema, extending to the superior macular region, with a white stippled discolouration of the corresponding retinal pigment epithelium. Laboratory work-up confirmed the diagnosis of syphilis. The patient was treated with penicillin G benzathine-2.4 million IU intramuscular weekly for 3 weeks. After treatment, a clinical improvement of the fundus lesions was observed along with a subjective improvement in visual function. Over a 12 month follow-up period, no recurrences have occurred.
Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Egas Moniz, Lisbon, Portugal. jgalveia@gmail.com
José Nuno
JN
Galveia
Ana Sofia
AS
Travassos
Dídia
D
Proença
Rui
R
Proença
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010211:Papilledema / Q000382:microbiology*; D010401:Penicillin G Benzathine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013587:Syphilis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013588:Syphilis Serodiagnosis; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000382:microbiology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010401:Penicillin G Benzathine