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Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. The disease progresses through several stages, primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary, and can affect virtually any organ system if not treated.
read more about syphilis ...The causes are broadly categorized as congenital (present at birth) or acquired (developing later in life). Congenital dyschromatopsia is nearly always genetic, caused by a defect in the genes on the X chromosome that control the function of the retinal cone cells. Acquired dyschromatopsia is typically caused by disease (such as optic nerve damage or macula disease), certain medications, or trauma. The congenital form affects both eyes equally and is stable, while the acquired form usually affects one eye and may worsen over time.
Symptoms associated with secondary infection include a non-itchy rash that frequently appears on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, fever, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle aches. The secondary stage symptoms will resolve without treatment, leading to the latent stage, where the patient has no symptoms but still harbors the infection. Without treatment, the patient faces the severe neurological and cardiac consequences of the tertiary stage. The lack of symptoms during the latent stage makes tracking and preventing spread difficult.
Syphilis frequently impacts eye health, particularly in the later stages (ocular syphilis). The infection can cause severe inflammation of the retina or uvea (posterior uveitis), which leads to blurred vision, floaters, and sometimes sudden, permanent vision loss. Ocular syphilis can mimic many other eye diseases, making accurate diagnosis essential for preserving sight. This eye involvement is often a sign of impending neurological damage.
Diagnosis involves a blood test to check for antibodies to the bacteria. Treatment is straightforward and highly effective. A single dose of penicillin is the preferred medication for early stages. Later stages require multiple doses of penicillin.
Untreated syphilis carries the risk of neurosyphilis (spread to the brain and spinal cord), blindness, heart valve damage, and debilitating joint problems in the tertiary stage. Prompt and complete antibiotic treatment is needed to prevent these irreversible systemic complications.
Yes, syphilis is curable with antibiotics, particularly penicillin.
No, the primary sore (chancre) is typically painless, which contributes to the disease's easy transmission.
No, some people never notice the secondary rash, making diagnosis of the latent stage difficult.
If you experience sudden vision loss, eye redness, or "floaters" and have a history of a painless sore, see a doctor immediately. "Ocular Syphilis" can occur at any stage of the infection and can lead to permanent blindness if not treated with IV antibiotics. It is often called "The Great Mimicker" in ophthalmology.
CDC. Syphilis Fact Sheet (cdc.gov). 2024.
AAO. Ocular Syphilis (aao.org). 2024.
Mayo Clinic. Syphilis Symptoms (mayoclinic.org). 2024.
StatPearls. Syphilis (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). 2024.