Prevalence of Clinical and Demographic Characteristics of Patients with Ocular Toxoplasmosis Referring to Nikookari Hospital of Tabriz in 2003-2009

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common zoonosis parasitic diseases and it is a major cause of severe vision loss in young people. Indicating the importance and high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in our country. This study was done to determine the clinical characteristics in a group of patients with ocular toxoplasmosis. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, all patients with ocular toxoplasmosis who was referred or diagnosed ophthalmology specialized in hospital of tabriz university of medical sciences between (2003-2009) and the frequency and type of symptoms in patients with ocular toxoplasmosis were determined. Results: The most common presentation was blurred vision. Floaters, eye pain, vision loss, redness epiphora, strabismus, headache, cataract and fear from light were the other cause of referring. Among the symptoms blurred vision had the highest percentage (89%).178 cases had congenital toxoplasmosis and 13 cases had acquired disease. The most common complication was serous retinal detachment. Conclusion: The most common results of this study showed that common ophthalmologic symptoms such as blurred vision could be the sign of ocular toxoplasmosis and should be seriously considered particularly in endemic areas.