Common Ocular Manifestations of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Fahad Alwadani

doi:10.4172/2155-9570.1000712

Abstract

This review addresses the most significant ocular manifestations of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) which both ophthalmologists and sexual health physicians encounter during their practice. STDs to be discussed in this review include Syphilis, Gonorrhea, AIDS and infection with Chlamydiae, Herpes simplex, human papilloma virus, Molluscum contagiosum, Trichomonas vaginalis and infestation with Phthirus pubis.

Highlights

Transmitted infections (STIs) are caused by some pathogens that can be acquired and transmitted through sexual activity
The eye is a common site of affection, and most sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can have a significant ocular involvement
Ocular infection can occur as direct infection, as with gonorrhea, or as indirect infection, as with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)

Summary

Introduction

Transmitted infections (STIs) are caused by some pathogens that can be acquired and transmitted through sexual activity. Most commonly presenting in secondary syphilis, iridocyclitis can rarely occur in primary and tertiary syphilis This condition should be suspected in STD patients with intraocular inflammation resistant to conventional treatment [16,19]. Treatment of CMV retinitis depends upon both the on the site of the active retinitis and the immune status of the patient It includes an initial induction phase of 2–4 weeks to inactivate the retinal infection through high-dose anti-CMV medications followed by a low-dose of maintenance therapy to prevent progression of retinitis. Stromal keratitis occurs in almost 25% of cases of ocular herpes In this condition, deeper parts of the cornea are involved, possibly due to an abnormal immune response to the original infection. Other ocular manifestations of herpes are iridocyclitis and secondary glaucoma, which may be due to trabecular blockade or trabeculitis [30,31]

Human Papillomavirus

Molluscum contagiosum

Phthiriasis pubis

Findings

Trichomonas vaginalis