| |
SINGAPORE : Doctors said patients who have recovered from dengue fever are more likely to suffer from eye diseases.
One in 10 cases may suffer post-complications such as double vision.
When Chang Ai Ling contracted dengue in 2004, she realised her vision started to blur while she was still in hospital for dengue treatment.
"I can't see who the person was; I could see the figure but I could not see the features of the face. It was mostly blurry. It continued for about 2-3 weeks and it was really bad. After 2-3 weeks, I began to recover (from dengue), but I still could not see the details of the things around me," recalled Chang, a former dengue patient.
And she's not alone.
Research shows that in 10 percent of patients who have recovered from dengue, 70% have retinopathy - which is a non-inflammatory damage to the retina.
Another 20% suffer from Uveitis - an inflammation to the eye's middle layer.
Dr Teoh Charn Beng, associate consultant at The Eye Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, said: "Three quarters of the patients will recover, regain their original vision between one week and three months after the onset of their eye complains.
"However, in severe cases, the vision may not recover to the original level even after a year. They may still have a central or off-centre patch of grayish vision."
Doctors prescribe steroids to help patents recover their vision. - CNA /ls
|
