Doctors have discovered a new complication of monkeypox which is affecting people's eyes and eyesight. Common symptoms of the disease include lesions, a high temperature, headache and backache.
But health experts in the US have reported five cases of ocular monkeypox between July and September this year. The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) said the complication involves the “presence of new ocular disease compatible with Orthopoxvirus (OPXV) infection in a patient with probable or confirmed monkeypox".
Patients experience corneal ulcers, keratitis, conjunctivitis, corneal scarring, and in more severe cases, they could go blind. Since May 2022 there have been a spate of outbreaks reported in the US, UK, Australia, mainland Europe and Canada, reports The Mirror.
In the UK, an estimated 3,586 people have had monkeypox, while there are around 27,635 cases in the USA. The CDC has urged healthcare providers to be aware of the ‘sight-threatening’ condition.
One of the five patients who suffered from eye issues described it as a progressive rash, and they also had itching, swelling and photosensitivity. The patient was admitted to hospital days after they started to experience symptoms due to ‘worsening ocular issues’.
After five days, they were discharged, but were readmitted a week later due to worsening lesions. The CDC added: "All five patients with ocular monkeypox described in this report suffered prolonged illness, four were hospitalised, and one experienced significant vision impairment."
Medics are now urging people to practice good hand hygiene and to avoid touching their eyes if they catch monkeypox. They are also encouraged to avoid using contact lenses.
The CDC said: "Public health officials should be promptly notified of cases of ocular monkeypox. Increased clinician awareness of ocular monkeypox and of approaches to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment might reduce associated morbidity."
