Late congenital syphilitic oculopathy
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Late congenital syphilitic oculopathy is a disease of the eye, a manifestation of late congenital syphilis. It can appear as:
- Interstitial keratitis - this commonly appears between ages 6 and 12. Symptoms include lacrimation and photophobia. Pathological vascularization of the cornea cause it to turn pink or salmon colored. 90% of cases affect both eyes.
- Episcleritis or scleritis - nodules appear in or overlying the sclera (white of eye)
- Iritis or iris papules - vascular infiltration of the iris causes rosy color change and yellow/red nodules.
- Chorioretinitis, papillitis, retinal vasculitis - retinal changes can resemble retinitis pigmentosa.
- Exudative retinal detachment
Congenital syphilis is categorized by the age of the child. Early congenital syphilis occurs in children under 2 years old, and late congenital syphilis in children at or greater that 2 years old. Manifestations of late congenital syphilis are similar to those of secondary syphilis and tertiary syphilis in adults.
References
- eMedicine: Ocular Manifestations of Syphilis
