Abstract Lyme borreliosis is an underdiagnosed infectious disease caused by a spirochete and transmitted by certain Ixodes ticks. In Lyme disease diagnostic problems are still discussed extensively as the laboratory workup is not standardized and a positive antibody result is not proof of active infection. It is therefore important to appreciate all clinical signs that can prompt us to the diagnostic investigation of Lyme borreliosis. We present a case of a woman with Lyme borreliosis and recurrent unilateral anterior uveitis in her right eye for 2 years, who developed cotton wool spots (CWS) in her left eye, followed by acute and recurrent anterior uveitis in this second eye. An extensive general examination, including blood coagulopathies and ultrasound of the carotid arteries, did not reveal any pathology.
The CWS resolved within a few months. The recurrent anterior uveitis could be controlled by topical steroids. After treatment with 2 g of i.v. ceftriaxone for 3 weeks, she remained free of recurrences for 1 year of observation time. CWS can be the first clinical sign of ocular vascular pathology and/or uveitis. Further investigation will be necessary to confirm the relationship between CWS and ocular borreliosis. In patients with otherwise unexplained CWS, the possibility of an infection with borreliosis should be ruled out carefully.
Language ENG Pub Type(s) JOURNAL ARTICLE PubMed ID 18854948
Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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Melanie Reber
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 3707
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Cotton wool spots are small areas of yellowish white coloration in the retina. They occur because of swelling of the surface layer of the retina, which consists of nerve fibers. This swelling almost always occurs because the blood supply to that area has been impaired and in the absence of normal blood flow through the retinal vessels the nerve fibers are injured in a particular location resulting in swelling and the appearance of a "cotton wool spot. "
The most common causes of cotton wool spots are diseases, which affect the retina such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Often cotton wool spots will disappear on their own, but new ones may occur because the underlying condition may continue to cause blood flow problems.
Most often the cotton wool spots themselves do not cause visual difficulties, but the condition which led to the cotton wool spots can cause retinal damage and the best treatment is to address the disease that caused the cotton wool spots initially.
posted
My mom who does not have lyme or any tickborne diseases had cotton wool patches on her eyes a few years ago from extremely high blood pressure. She started taking pycnogenol (pine bark extract) -- I think the dose was either 50 or 100 mg.
Hers went away and her eye doctor said he had never seen these leave so completely before. She did get her blood pressure under control as well with a change of meds, but I think the supplements are what really helped.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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treepatrol
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 4117
posted
Right befor the end of my treatment last time I got a little black floater and tiny string from it in my left eye I had eye exam by two different eye Dr and they said both eyes are fine no degeneration. But that was last jan feb 08 I still have the black dot.
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