West Nile - Vision Problem

[nicolinab]

I'm 32 years old, always been perfectly healthy and contracted West Nile about 3 years ago. - My vision has been bothering me since. I feel it's slowly getting worse. I don't know how to explain it all but it somehow seems that my eyes are very light sensitive and they don't seem to adjust properly or quick enough when change of light occurs. Also I have trouble seeing when cloudy or when light is dim. Driving a car has been hard because at times it's hard to judge the distance between cars and when I drive everything seems to go so fast that it feels like my eyes have a hard time catching up/seeing everything. I have to be extremely focused, which at times gives me a headache or my eyes hurt. Also when I look at an object if it's close or fare I don't seem to be able to look at it properly. It looks like I'm somehow looking right through it or stare at it. Any idea what is happening? - I thought about going to the doctor if things get worse but it's hard to find a doctor that understands West Nile in our area. Also I'm not sure if it is a vision or neurological problem. I appreciate your time.

[Michael J Kutryb, MD]

What comes to mind is if it is due to West Nile Virus, then what can you do about the actual virus itself?  My main priority would be to take a very thorough look at the eyes and look for actual identifiable abnormalities and deal with those first.  There can be things like dry eyes, uveitis, cataracts, glaucoma, allergies, lid margin disease, floaters, keratitis and many, many  other problems to find.  Then a stepwise approach can be taken to try to deal with each and every issue.  Not being a West Nile expert, my understanding is that treatment is generally suppportive and there is no actual antiviral drug for the virus. I have no doubt that you may well be having neurologic problems from the infection but treatments are still going to be needed to aimed at the eye.  Just as if you developed a heart problem you would see a cardiologist, while still keeping in touch with your infectious disease doctor.  FInd a good ophthalmologist that is a good listener and who will be patient with you.

[nicolinab]

Thank you for your time to answer my question. - I went to an eye doctor this week and my eyes are perfect. I don't need glasses and he didn't recognize anything abnormal. - I feel that he really took the time to try to understand what is going on. But doesn't have any further advise.