Cluster of Ocular Syphilis Cases Linked to Same Man

One woman’s eyesight was so blurry she feared she was going blind. Another reported double vision that lasted for weeks. Yet another complained of floaters. In all, five women who lived in different parts of southwest Michigan suddenly sought help for serious eye problems within weeks of each other. The medical mystery led to a startling diagnosis: All of the patients had ocular syphilis , a complication of the sexually transmitted disease . The cluster of cases shared a common link.

It turned out the five women had sex with the same man who had syphilis, according to a case report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in November 2023. His illness was mostly asymptomatic and never affected his eyes. Few people know syphilis can endanger vision, doctors say. “Patients are very surprised, and most of the lay public doesn’t think of syphilis involving the eye,” Dr. Rahul Khurana, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, tells TODAY.com

Ocular Syphilis Sexually Transmitted Disease Eye Problems Medical Mystery Diagnosis Vision Southwest Michigan CDC Asymptomatic Public Awareness American Academy Of Ophthalmology

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