Acute syphilitic optic neuritis
J. M. Weinstein, S. S. Lexow, P. Ho and A. Spickards
Two patients experienced acute unilateral visual loss as a manifestation of
early infectious (secondary) neurosyphilis. In both cases, optic disc
swelling was preceded by the development of a characteristic rash
accompanied by mild signs of meningeal inflammation. Other signs of ocular
inflammation, such as uveitis or retinal vasculitis, were absent. Optic
neuritis may occur as a manifestation of the meningeal inflammation that
can accompany secondary syphilis. In such patients, it is important to
confirm involvement of the CNS and to institute appropriate antibiotic
therapy.
