Stopping the measles outbreak

Measles has long been one of the leading causes of childhood blindness worldwide, but with the recent U.S. outbreak-due to a decrease in vaccination compliance for the virus-many parents nationwide are growingly concerned. While there are no specific anti-viral treatments for the disease, there are several crucial ways ophthalmologists can stop the outbreak in its tracks, according to David Hunter, MD, PhD.

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“With measles essentially eradicated in the United States, most practicing physicians today-including ophthalmologists-have not treated patients with ocular complications of the disease,” said Dr. Hunter, an American Academy of Ophthalmology spokesperson and professor of pediatric ophthalmology at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA.

According to the Academy, there are six ways the measles virus can harm eyes and affect vision:

1.     Conjunctivitis: “Redness and watery eyes from conjunctivitis occur in nearly all measles patients,” the Academy said in a prepared statement. “This type of pink eye usually develops early on in the disease and is a hallmark symptom along with fever, cough and a runny nose, often occurring before the telltale rash.”

2.     Keratitis

3.     Corneal scarring

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