Chlamydia species, h-pylori and toxoplasmosis can migrate or metastasize from one part of the eye to another part of the eye. More than 25 scientific articles have “associated” chlamydia and H-pylori to glaucoma, and the severity of glaucoma has been “associated” with high chlamydia titers. Iris disintegration has been “associated” with toxoplasmosis, causing pigment-dispersion glaucoma. Yet, the Atlas of Glaucoma (2014) failed to mention chlamydia, H-pylori, or other immortal pathogens, in the discussion of glaucoma.
Atlas of CLINICAL OPHTHALMOLOGY (2005) discusses chlamydia, and is primarily directed to ocular surface disease, inclusion bodies, and conjunctivitis; and to chlamydia trachoma. The text states anterior and posterior uveitis (itis means inflammation) are from unknown causes; and are “associated” with co-morbid multiple sclerosis, sarcoidosis, and Behcet’s disease—all diseases caused by immortal pathogens that can also attack the eye. Toxoplasmosis is identified as a rare cause of posterior uveitis and scleritis; and possibly “Fuchs Heterochromic Iridocyclitis” (FHI), a condition of unknown origin, in which the iris disintegrates and disperses particles in the anterior chamber and precipitates on the underside of the cornea. Toxoplasmosis from cats and toxocara from dogs are identified as pathogens that cause posterior inflammation and invade the retina, leaving lesions that cause loss of vision.
Considering the abundance and growing body of literature supporting infectious causes of glaucoma, and the discussion in an ophthalmology text of pathogens acquired from cats and dogs as possible causes of numerous eye diseases, the history of contact with pets and testing for immortal pathogens should be part of the history, assessment, and diagnostic plan, in many ophthalmology patients.
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