Eyeworld

N Contact information Name: EWS by Title said. This condition can be spotted with a dilated fundus exam, he said, adding that patients are asymptomatic even though the condition can lead to vision loss. While not much can be done for this severe complication, Dr. Toy pointed out that knowing such retinopathy has occurred can be helpful from a prognostic point of view. "It often- times can occur in conjunction with a cerebral infection, encephalitis, so if we detect a retinitis or pigmentary retinopathy, then we may send the patient either to the emergency room if they're acutely altered, or to see their family care doctor or neurologist to evaluate for a central nervous system infection with measles," Dr. Toy said. In cases where patients are pregnant, the measles virus can be transmitted through the placenta, he warned. "The same parts of the eye that are affected in grown humans can be affected in a fetus," he said. In this way, the fe- tus can be impacted by conjunctivitis, keratitis, potential scarring of the cornea, and even infection of the retina or optic nerve can occur. "There is such a big push toward vaccination because all of this can be prevented by appro- priate vaccination," Dr. Toy said. For pregnant women and others who may realize that they have been exposed to the measles, use of immuno- globulin against the measles can be a helpful treatment if it's administered within a short period after contact. "But because the incubation period of measles is 1 to 2 weeks, and this treatment has to be given within 48 to 72 hours of exposure, patients may not present with symptoms within the time window for the treatment to be effective," he said. "So there is a very limited subset that this would be helpful to treat." In some parts of the world, use of vitamin A may have a role. "Not so much in the U.S. [is this used] but in- ternationally where the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency or malnutrition is higher, causing more severe complica- tions of measles," Dr. Toy said, adding that in such cases if patients are hospitalized, they may be given vitamin A. Overall, Dr. Toy stressed the need for vaccination. "Measles is highly communicable and highly infectious, and this can all be prevented by two doses of a safe and effective vaccine," he said. I N S T R U M E N T S | S I N G L E U S E | D R Y E Y E | B I O L O G I C S Stephens Instruments | 2500 Sandersville Rd | Lexington KY 40511 USA Toll Free ( USA ) 800.354.7848 | info@stephensinst.com | stephensinst.com © 2019 Stephens Instruments. All rights reserved. Vera180™ synthetic absorbable lacrimal plugs from Lacrivera® provide extended temporary occlusion lasting approximately 6 months. Offer patients long-lasting relief while optimizing your patient treatment schedule. Stephens – more than instruments. Vera180 ™ Absorbable Lacrimal Plugs Look to Stephens for 6 month dry eye relief continued from page 18 "Measles is highly communicable and highly infectious, and this can all be prevented by two doses of a safe and effective vaccine." —Brian Toy, MD

• Blank Page
• Blank Page (1)