41. Advanced Search American Family Physician Overview of histoplasmosis. histoplasmosis is an endemicinfection in most of the United States and can be found worldwide. http://www.aafp.org/afp/20021215/2247.html

Advanced Search Overview of Histoplasmosis RENE KUROWSKI, M.D., and MICHAEL OSTAPCHUK, M.D. University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, Kentucky A patient information handout on histoplasmosis, written by the authors of this article, is provided on page 2255. A PDF version of this document is available. Download PDF now (6 pages / 100 KB). More information on using PDF files. H istoplasmosis is an endemic infection in most of the United States. Disseminated disease is rare but can be fatal if untreated. This article presents the manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of histoplasmosis, beginning with the case of an immunocompetent child who developed disseminated disease. The majority of people with normal immunity who develop histoplasmosis manifest an asymptomatic or clinically insignificant infection. Illustrative Case Outpatient work-up revealed interstitial pneumonitis on chest radiograph; pancytopenia (platelet count, 72,000 per mm per L]; hemoglobin, 8.9 g per dL [89 g per L]); and mildly abnormal results on liver function tests. Blood cultures, febrile agglutinins, and an infectious mononucleosis screen were all negative. Despite the use of antibiotics, the patient's disease progressed, leading to his referral to the infectious disease clinic and admittance to the children's hospital for further evaluation.

42. Histoplasmosis Return to Pulmonary Pathology Overview Previous Slide Next Slide histoplasmosis. Slide 23 of 45. http://www.som.tulane.edu/classware/pathology/medical_pathology/New_for_98/Pulmo

Return to Pulmonary Pathology Overview Previous Slide Next Slide Histoplasmosis Slide 23 of 45

43. Handbook Of Ocular Disease Management - Presumed Ocular Histoplasmosis Syndrome PRESUMED OCULAR histoplasmosis SYNDROME SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Presumed ocularhistoplasmosis syndrome (POHS) is characterized by the triad of http://www.revoptom.com/handbook/sect5o.htm

PRESUMED OCULAR HISTOPLASMOSIS SYNDROME SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (POHS) is characterized by the triad of: 1. Disseminated midperipheral choroiditis, consisting of infiltrates and scarring which appears as yellow-white punched-out lesions. 2. A macular or parafoveal subretinal neovascular membrane which appears as a grayish-green patch beneath the retina in the peripapillary and foveal areas, with or without subretinal blood, exudate or disciform scarring. 3. Atrophy or scarring adjacent to the optic disc, which appears as a flat, whitish-brown lesion; the presentation varies depending on the amount of retinal pigmentary epithelial hyperplasia next to the optic disc. POHS occurs bilaterally in 60 percent of cases. Patients are usually age 20-50. The eye remains remarkably quiet with virtually no aqueous or vitreous cells and minimal flare. In fact, most patients are asymptomatic until a choroiditis or subretinal neovascular membrane develops around the fovea. Optic disc edema is an occasional finding in active disease. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY Presumed ocular histoplamosis syndrome is a dimorphic fungal disease endemic to river valley climates. The designation "presumed" ocular histoplasmosis syndrome is used because researchers have not been able to isolate the Histoplasma Capsulatum organism in ocular tissue.

44. Ocular Histoplasmosis Links And Stories Ocular histoplasmosis. (Presumed Ocular histoplasmosis Syndrome, or POHS ). Backgroundabout histoplasmosis and more detailed information about histo and POHS. http://www.bway.net/~keith/

Ocular Histoplasmosis (Presumed Ocular Histoplasmosis Syndrome, or POHS This page is designed to be readily accessible to visitors with vision problems or who use text readers. For those with issues reading the full width of the screen, narrow your browser for easier scanning. Read the page and the associated links for a great deal of information about POHS. After you've learned a bit, we have a Bulletin Board so you can ask questions and communicate with others who have POHS Informational links about POHS Overview Read the information in this link first for a comprehensive overview of POHS: Histoplasmosis and the Eye From the National Eye Institute, a great summary of ocular histoplasmosis. A must-read for those wishing to learn about the eye-related consequences of histoplasmosis. Background about histoplasmosis and more detailed information about histo and POHS Histoplasmosis, the Fungus (background about histo, nothing eye-related [nothing about ocular histoplasmosis]) Histoplasmosis as a fungus and a fungal infection. Interesting, but not directly related to Ocular Histo except for some geographical information about the incidence in the US. The Basics About Histoplasmosis (background about histo, nothing eye-related [nothing about ocular histoplasmosis])

45. Eye histoplasmosis by National Institutes of Health What is histoplasmosis? histoplasmosisis often so mild that it produces no apparent symptoms. http://www.ivillagehealth.com/conditions/eye/articles/0,,417406_124815,00.html

var cimsCid = '242987'; var cimsUid = ''; main COMMUNITY Message Boards Chats ... Community Challenges find on iVillage on astrology on babies on beauty on books on food on health on lamaze.com on money on parenting on pets on relationships on women.com on work MAGAZINES on Cosmopolitan on Country Living on Good Housekeeping on House Beautiful on Marie Claire on Redbook on Victoria you are here: iVillage ivillagehealth conditions eye TOP 100 WOMEN'S HEALTH CONCERNS Choose one Acupuncture Allergies Alzheimer's Disease Androgen Anxiety Disorders Asthma Atherosclerosis Attention Deficit Bacterial Vaginosis Biofeedback Bipolar Disorder Birth Control Pills Breast Cancer Caregiving Cervical Cancer Chiropractic Chlamydia Cholesterol Chronic Fatigue Chronic Pelvic Pain Clinical Trials Colon Cancer Contraception Depression Diabetes Dry Eye Syndrome Eating Disorders Endometriosis Epilepsy Estrogen Fibroids Fibromyalgia Fitness Flu/Colds GERD General Women's Health Genetic Testing Genital Herpes Glaucoma Gonorrhea HIV/AIDS Health Insurance Heart Disease Hepatitis High Blood Pressure Homeopathy Human Papillomavirus Hypnosis Hysterectomy Incontinence/Overactive Infertility Irritable Bowel Legal Health Tools Liposuction Lung Cancer Lupus Macular Degeneration Medication Safety Menopause Menstrual Disorders Migraine Multiple Sclerosis Naturopathy Nutrition Obesity Oral Health Osteoarthritis Osteopathic Medicine Osteoporosis Ovarian Cancer Pain Management Peripheral Vascular Polycystic Ovarian Pregnancy Premenstrual Syndrome Preparing for Surgery Progesterone Rheumatoid Arthritis Schizophrenia Scleroderma Sexual Dysfunction

46. Histoplasmosis histoplasmosis, histoplasmosis is a fungal infection caused by theorganism Histoplasma capsulatum (H. capsulatum). The infection http://www.ivillagehealth.com/library/onemed/content/0,7064,241012_245633,00.htm

main COMMUNITY Message Boards Chats ... Community Challenges find on iVillage on astrology on babies on beauty on books on food on health on lamaze.com on money on parenting on pets on relationships on women.com on work MAGAZINES on Cosmopolitan on Country Living on Good Housekeeping on House Beautiful on Marie Claire on Redbook on Victoria you are here: iVillage ivillagehealth library one medicine ... Talent Test TOP 100 WOMEN'S HEALTH CONCERNS Choose one Acupuncture Allergies Alzheimer's Disease Androgen Anxiety Disorders Asthma Atherosclerosis Attention Deficit Bacterial Vaginosis Biofeedback Bipolar Disorder Birth Control Pills Breast Cancer Caregiving Cervical Cancer Chiropractic Chlamydia Cholesterol Chronic Fatigue Chronic Pelvic Pain Clinical Trials Colon Cancer Contraception Depression Diabetes Dry Eye Syndrome Eating Disorders Endometriosis Epilepsy Estrogen Fibroids Fibromyalgia Fitness Flu/Colds GERD General Women's Health Genetic Testing Genital Herpes Glaucoma Gonorrhea HIV/AIDS Health Insurance Heart Disease Hepatitis High Blood Pressure Homeopathy Human Papillomavirus Hypnosis Hysterectomy Incontinence/Overactive Infertility Irritable Bowel Legal Health Tools Liposuction Lung Cancer Lupus Macular Degeneration Medication Safety Menopause Menstrual Disorders Migraine Multiple Sclerosis Naturopathy Nutrition Obesity Oral Health Osteoarthritis Osteopathic Medicine Osteoporosis Ovarian Cancer Pain Management Peripheral Vascular Polycystic Ovarian Pregnancy Premenstrual Syndrome Preparing for Surgery Progesterone Rheumatoid Arthritis Schizophrenia Scleroderma Sexual Dysfunction Sinusitis

47. Fungal Infections: Histoplasmosis 13310. Return to the histoplasmosis Menu. Antigen levels are obtained at the histoplasmosisReference Laboratory in Indianapolis, Indiana (800-HISTO-DG). http://www.hivpositive.com/f-Oi/OppInfections/4-Fungal/4-Fun-Histoplas.html

Histoplasmosis Pathogen Sites of Infection Symptoms Diagnosis ... Return to the Histoplasmosis Menu Pathogen: Histoplasma capsulatum , a fungus endemic to the south-central U.S. and South America, and found in soil contaminated by bird droppings or other organic material. After inhalation, the spores germinate into the yeast form. Patients with compromised immune systems, e.g. AIDS with CD4+ counts < 100 cells/mm , are particularly susceptible in endemic areas. Return to the Histoplasmosis Menu Sites of Infection: Wide-spread dissemination occurs in most patients, most frequently in the lungs and less frequently in the skin and G.I. system. Return to the Histoplasmosis Menu Symptoms: Fever, weight loss, nodular or ulcerative skin lesions, respiratory complaints, anemia, and enlargement of the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. Return to the Histoplasmosis Menu Diagnosis: By blood or bone marrow culture, biopsy of involved tissue, or detection of 11 capsulatum variety capsulatum polysaccharide antigen detection in urine, serum, bronchioalveolar lavage, or CSF. Antigen levels can be followed to monitor therapy and diagnose relapse. Antigen levels are obtained at the Histoplasmosis Reference Laboratory in Indianapolis, Indiana (800-HISTO-DG). Return to the Histoplasmosis Menu Treatment Results: Wheat et al. enrolled 59 patients in a study (ACTG 120) of open-label itraconazole for the treatment and prevention of relapse of acute histoplasmosis. All subjects received 300 mg PO twice daily for 3 days followed by a 12 week course (200 mg twice daily). Fifty of 59 (85%) patients responded to treatment (clearance of fungermia) and were continued on itraconazole maintenance treatment (200 to 400 mg PO daily) for at least one year. Of the nine non-responders, six failed treatment, two experienced toxicity, one was lost to follow-up.

48. In The Blink Of An Eye - Histoplasmosis In the Blink of an Eye http://www.golden.net/~blink/

In the Blink of an Eye In the Blink of an Eye

49. Histoplasmosis And HIV histoplasmosis and HIV. HIV InSite Knowledge Base Chapter Published February1998. Belle CLINICAL PRESENTATION Acute histoplasmosis. Acute http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/InSite.jsp?doc=kb-05-02-06

50. Communicable Diseases - Histoplasmosis histoplasmosis. What is histoplasmosis? histoplasmosis is an infectioncaused by a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum. The fungus http://www.state.hi.us/doh/resource/comm_dis/cddhisto.htm

Skip Menu Histoplasmosis What is histoplasmosis? Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum. The fungus can be found in soil contaminated by decaying animal and bird feces. This fungus produces spores, which if inhaled, can cause infection in the lungs. The infection can sometimes progress to involve other organs of the body. How do you get it? You get histoplasmosis by inhaling the fungal spores that become airborne as dust particles when soil is disturbed. Outbreaks of histoplasmosis are reported most frequently in persons exposed to bird or bat feces, or contaminated soil found around chicken coops, bat caves, gardens, and in landscaped areas. Person-to-person spread of histoplasmosis does not occur. Many people who become infected will have few or no symptoms. What are the symptoms of histoplasmosis? The symptoms of histoplasmosis can be mild or severe, ranging from a minor respiratory illness to a serious lung infection. The symptoms include fever, chills, headache, cough, chest pain, muscle pain, and a general feeling of being ill. In severe cases, the fungus invades the liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and other organs of the body. When do symptoms start?

51. Histoplasmosis Fact Sheet histoplasmosis. What is histoplasmosis? histoplasmosis is an infection causedby a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum. Who gets histoplasmosis? http://www.dhfs.state.wi.us/healthtips/BCD/Histoplasmosis.htm

Licensing Reference Center Search Disease Fact Sheet Series: Histoplasmosis What is histoplasmosis? Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum . Approximately 10 cases are reported each year in Wisconsin. What are the symptoms of histoplasmosis? Many people infected with histoplasmosis do not become ill. When a person develops symptoms, it usually involves the lungs and is characterized by weakness, chills, fever, muscle aches, chest pains, and a dry cough. Chronic lung infections resemble tuberculosis and may progress over months or years. Where is the fungus that causes histoplasmosis found? Histoplasma capsulatum is found throughout the world including the United States. The fungus often grows in soil around chicken houses, areas harboring bats, caves, and under starling and blackbird roosts. How is this fungus spread? The fungus grows in soil contaminated with bird or bat droppings. It produces spores that can become airborne if the soiled is disturbed. If a person breathes in these spores, they may become infected. The disease cannot be spread from person-to-person. Who gets histoplasmosis?

52. New York City Department Of Health & Mental Hygiene - Communicable Disease - His histoplasmosis. What is histoplasmosis? histoplasmosis is a fungal infectionthat affects the lungs and may occasionally invade other parts of the body. http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/cd/cdhis.html

Bureau of Communicable Disease Histoplasmosis What is histoplasmosis? Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection that affects the lungs and may occasionally invade other parts of the body. It is an uncommon disease. In 1999, there were 15 cases reported among New York City residents (rate of 0.2 cases per 100,000 persons). Who gets histoplasmosis? Anyone can get histoplasmosis. It is recognized more often in immunocompromised individuals, such as AIDS patients. Birds (especially chickens), bats, dogs, cats, rats, skunks, opossum, foxes, and other animals can get histoplasmosis and may have a role in spreading the disease. How is histoplasmosis spread? The disease is acquired by inhaling the spore stage of the fungus. Outbreaks may occur in groups with common exposures to bird or bat droppings or recently disturbed, contaminated soil found in chicken coops, caves, etc. Person-to-person spread of histoplasmosis does not occur. What are the symptoms of histoplasmosis? Symptoms vary from mild to severe, ranging from a flu-like illness to serious lung infections. In immunocompromised patients, the disease may spread to the bone marrow, lungs, liver, and lymph nodes. How soon after infection do symptoms appear?

53. Ocular Histoplasmosis What You Should Know About Ocular histoplasmosis. What is the Ocular histoplasmosisSyndrome? What are the symptoms of the Ocular histoplasmosis Syndrome? http://www.eyecenters.com/brochures/pohs.htm

What You Should Know About Ocular Histoplasmosis What is the Ocular Histoplasmosis Syndrome? The fungus is inhaled early in life and causes a usually asymptomatic and self-limited infection throughout the body, including the lungs and choroid (the vascular layer lining the retina). For unknown reasons, several decades after the initial infection, the choroidal scars may develop abnormal blood vessels choroidal neovascularization which leak fluid and blood. This leakage can only be seen on a careful, dilated eye examination since the eye looks normal from the outside. Distorted central vision and loss of reading vision occurs when the leakage involves the macula. Normal macula. Histoplasmosis with scarring around the nerve and in the macular center Who gets the Ocular Histoplasmosis Syndrome? People who live in endemic areas, such as the Ohio-Mississippi river basin, who are exposed to the histoplasmosis fungus early in life are at greatest risk for developing eye problems later in life. A person with ocular histoplasmosis cannot infect other people since the organisms die soon after the initial infection.

54. APRIA HEALTHCARE Channels - Infectious Diseases What Is histoplasmosis? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. histoplasmosisis a disease caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. http://www.apria.com/channels/ap_cha_show_articles/0,1297,90-1-309,00.htm

55. Histoplasmosis histoplasmosis. DESCRIPTION Disease of the choroid; caused by an invasionof a fungal organism; transmitted by airborne spores found http://www.tsbvi.edu/Education/anomalies/histoplasmosis.htm

HISTOPLASMOSIS DESCRIPTION: Disease of the choroid; caused by an invasion of a fungal organism; transmitted by airborne spores found in dried animal excrement; the peripheral fundus has "punched-out" spots similar to healed chorioretinal lesions, but smaller and less pigmented. Macular involvement may occur later (believed to be a result of earlier choroidal sensitization and subsequent reinfection); these macular lesions may progress to hemorrhagic detachments. There is no vitreous haze. There is a positive reaction to a skin test for the disease. It seems to occur more often in the eastern half of the United States. TREATMENT: Many treatments have been advocated, including systemic corticosteroids, antihistamines, and photocoagulation of perimacular leakage, but results have been questionable in all cases. Once disciform changes begin, prognosis is very poor. IMPLICATIONS: In the initial stages, when only the peripheral fundus is affected, the vision is not affected (except for peripheral scotomas, which do not usually interfere with visual functioning). If the macula becomes involved, decreased central acuity, deficient color vision, and central scotoma can cause considerable loss of visual function. Optical aids may be helpful in these cases. Related Websites: National Eye Institute- Histoplasmosis and the Eye What You Should Know About Ocular Histoplasmosis Back to Contents Back to TSBVI Education

56. 1Up Health > Histoplasmosis > Causes, Incidence, And Risk Factors Of Histoplasmo Comprehesive information on histoplasmosis (Ohio River Valley fever ). histoplasmosisCauses, Incidence, and Risk Factors. Alternative names http://www.1uphealth.com/health/histoplasmosis_info.html

1Up Health Histoplasmosis Alternative Medicine Clinical Trials ... Health Topics A-Z Search 1Up Health Histoplasmosis Information Histoplasmosis Causes, Incidence, and Risk Factors Alternative names : Ohio River Valley fever Definition : Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum which primarily affects the lungs but may spread to other organs. Causes, Incidence, and Risk Factors Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection that can occur almost anywhere in the world. In the United States, it is most common in the southeastern, mid-Atlantic, and central states. The lungs are the portal of entry for this infection. Histoplasma grows as a mold in soil and infection results from inhalation of airborne fungal particles. Soil contaminated with bird or bat droppings may have a higher concentration of mold. Histoplasmosis may have no symptoms, there may be a short period of active infection or it can become chronic and spread throughout the body. Most patients with symptomatic histoplasmosis will have a flu-like syndrome and pulmonary (lung) complaints related to underlying pneumonia or other lung involvement. Individuals with chronic lung disease (e.g., emphysema bronchiectasis ) may be at higher risk of a more severe infection.

57. 1Up Health > Histoplasmosis - Chronic Pulmonary > Causes, Incidence, And Risk Fa Comprehesive information on histoplasmosis chronic pulmonary (Chroniccavitary histoplasmosis). Covers info such as , alternative http://www.1uphealth.com/health/histoplasmosis_chronic_pulmonary_info.html

1Up Health Histoplasmosis - chronic pulmonary Alternative Medicine Clinical Trials ... Health Topics A-Z Search 1Up Health Histoplasmosis - chronic pulmonary Information Histoplasmosis - chronic pulmonary Causes, Incidence, and Risk Factors Alternative names : Chronic cavitary histoplasmosis Definition : A chronic respiratory infection caused by inhaling the spores of the fungus, Histoplasma capsulatum, found commonly in the soil of endemic regions, such as states along the Mississippi or Ohio river valleys. Causes, Incidence, and Risk Factors Histoplasmosis is caused by a fungus found in the soil of the central and eastern United States (especially Mississippi and Ohio river valleys), eastern Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America. The primary infection (acute histoplasmosis) usually causes no symptoms ( asymptomatic ), or only mild disease that is easily cleared by an intact immune system. Chronic pulmonary histoplasmosis occurs in individuals with structurally abnormal lungs, such as smokers with emphysema or COPD. In these individuals, the acute infection with histoplasmosis smolders and progresses causing symptoms and chest X-ray findings that mimic pulmonary tuberculosis. Although many of these infections eventually resolve, some infections in these abnormal lung spaces persist causing enlargement of existing emphysematous lung spaces and destroying adjacent more normal lung tissue. Scarring (fibrotic changes) and cavities may occur as a result of this chronic infection.

58. Histoplasmosis Fact Sheet histoplasmosis Fact Sheet. PDF Version of this Fact Sheet. histoplasmosisis an infection caused by a fungus. The fungus grows http://www.fha.state.md.us/edcp/html/histopl.html

EDCP Mission/Vision General Information on Bioterrorism Bioterrorism Information for Health Care Provide rs ... ImmuNet Histoplasmosis Fact Sheet This page has moved. You will be redirected to the new location in 5 seconds or you can click on the link below: http://www.edcp.org/factsheets/histopl.html Back Top Print Version Links marked with are PDF. Download Adobe Acrobat Reader for viewing .pdf files View this page in German Spanish French Italian Portuguese Family Health Administration Home Site Map Factsheet Index ... Site Use Policies To address technical problems or make suggestions regarding this site send email to: webmaster@dhmh.state.md.us CommunityHealth Administration Last Modified 02/19/2003 09:18:32 AM

59. Health Ency.: Disease: Histoplasmosis histoplasmosis See images. other organs. Causes and Risks. histoplasmosisis a widespread fungal infection which occurs worldwide. http://www.austin360.com/shared/health/adam/ency/article/001082.html

SEARCH: The Web Yellow Pages HOME Illustrated Health Encyclopedia Important notice Ency. home Disease H Histoplasmosis See images Overview Symptoms Treatment ... Prevention Alternative names: Ohio valley fever Definition: Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum which affects primarily the lungs, but may spread to other organs. Causes and Risks Histoplasmosis is a widespread fungal infection which occurs worldwide. In the United States, it is most common in the southeastern, mid-Atlantic and central states. The lungs are the portal of entry for this infection. Histoplasma grows as a mold in soil and infection results from inhalation of airborne fungal particles. Soil contaminated with bird or bat droppings may have a higher concentration of mold. Histoplasmosis may have no symptoms, there may be a short period of active infection or it can become chronic and spread throughout the body. Most patients with symptomatic histoplasmosis will have a flu-like syndrome and pulmonary (lung) complaints related to underlying pneumonia or other lung involvement. Individuals with chronic lung disease (e.g., emphysema, bronchiectasis) may be at higher risk of a more severe presentation. If the body responds to infection with extreme inflammation, up to 10% of patients may have inflammatory complications involving the skin, bone/joints or the lining of the heart (pericardium). In a small proportion of patients, histoplasmosis may be widespread (disseminated histoplasmosis) and involve the blood, meninges, adrenal glands and other organs. Very young or very old people or those who have underlying immune disorders such as AIDS are at higher risk for disseminated histoplasmosis.

60. Occular Histoplasmosis Ocular histoplasmosis histoplasmosis causes scars ( histo spots ) in and underthe retina, (the delicate nerve tissue in the back of the eye). http://www.iuretina.com/occular_histoplasmosis.htm

Histoplasmosis Research Lab Macular Degeneration Diabetic Eye Disease Ocular Histoplasmosis ... Low Vision Ocular Histoplasmosis Infection with the fungus, histoplasmosis capsulatum, occurs in certain regions such as the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys and therefore can be a problem for Hoosiers. The infection presumably occurs in childhood and is mild, like a cold. For unknown reasons, some people develop eye disease and others do not. People do not develop eye problems until many years later, when the infection is inactive and not responsive to antibiotics. Histoplasmosis causes scars ("histo spots") in and under the retina, (the delicate nerve tissue in the back of the eye). The retina works like film in a camera, recording light patterns and transmitting them to the brain. Generally, when patients are infected with histoplasmosis, the infection is not symptomatic. It may occur in early childhood and be no worse than a cold. In immunocompromised patients and occasionally in healthy people, histo can cause infection that is severe, usually a pneumonia. Most patients with histo spots on the retina have no visual symptoms and no history of histoplasmosis infection. Histoplasmosis can cause damage to the retina and to the underlying tissues when these histo spots become activated later in life (often in young adults). Histoplasmosis spots are associated with the development of new abnormal blood vessels. This process is called neovascularization, (which occurs in other eye diseases such as macular degeneration). These abnormal blood vessels leak fluid and blood to cause blinding scars in and under the retina. These new blood vessels are not active infection and are not treatable with antibiotics. They may have some component of inflammation that is part of the reactivation process. Some doctors will prescribe oral steroids or give steroid shots around the eye to treat the inflammation that is thought to play a role in causing the new blood vessels to grow. This is a treatment that has not been well-studied, however, and not all doctors believe that steroids help.

A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

Page 3     41-60 of 99    Back | 1  | 2  | 3  | 4  | 5  | Next 20