Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is an eye disease that closely relates to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). CMV retinitis always invades the retina and affects the light-sensitive receptors, leading to acuity reduction and womens vision decrease. Without proper treatment, a detached retina and blindness can be caused within two to six months. Statistics show that 80% of adults can protect themselves from the danger of CMV, which is a common virus. It is widely known that people with AIDS have ineffective immune system, so that they can not fight against CMV. In the past, CMV retinitis bothered a quarter of AIDS patients, while now the number has been lowered to 5%, due to the use of potent combination of drugs. CMV can also be found on people with weakened or suppressed immune system at a lower rate. For example, these individuals who are undergoing chemotherapy or a bone marrow transplant also have fewer antibodies to CMV. Untreated CMV retinitis can lead to vision loss by damaging the macula. Currently, there are a huge number of researchers that are searching out the progression of CMV retinitis, involving mechanisms of cell death. Present results show that CMV starts at the outer layer of the retina, and then invades deeper layers. For CMV retinitis treatment, AIDS patients should visit a retina specialist every two to four weeks for primary disease control. During the following days, regular doctor’s visit every three months is enough. The most thorough treatment is the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), which cures CMV retinitis from its root by suppressing the HIV. HAART can improve your immune system within a short period, which in turn controls the development of CMV retinitis. Certain patients may abnormally react to HAART and develop immune recovery uveitis, which is a severe inflammation. There are also drugs to deal with CMV retinitis directly, including ganciclovir, foscarnet and cidofovir. Ganciclovir is available in forms of pill, intravenous infusion and intravitreal implant named Vitrasert. With unavoidable side effects, all these drugs are capable of slowing down CMV progression. Article Source:http://vision.firmoo.com/eye-diseases/causes-and-treatments-of-cmv-retinitis.html
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Eye Cancer: Causes, Symptoms, Types and Treatments
Eye cancer refers to a cancerous growth in any part of the eye. Cancer can form in and around tissues of the eye. Eye is a very sensitive part of the body and cancer can be caused within through environment factor or certain objects that directly affects to eye. Some of the factors that cause eye cancer include infections from cruel swelling of melanocytes in the outer layer of the skin, lower layer of the skin or attachments of an organ. Normally, it may occur in the skin, bowel, and eye. Even though the precise cause of eye cancer in not known, family history of a specific eye cancer can lead to cancer among family members. Eye treatments can prevent the eye strength from decreasing and also prevent eye diseases from spreading. Eye cancers are generally formed due to the abnormal growth of cells in and around the eyes. Causes of eye cancer include genetics, color of eye, exposure to unnecessary sunlight and a variety of other factors. Common causes for eye cancer include sun, wind, sitting in front of computer screen for long time period of time. Family inheritance of cancer plays a significant part and can make cancer apparent in any member of the family. Spots appearing in the eyes are considered as main cause of eye cancer of the melanoma type. People having the eye colors of grey, green and blue are more prone to melanoma of the eyes. People who are exposed to strong sunlight for long periods of time are prone to eye cancer. Large number of moles could lead either to skin cancer or to eye cancer. Symptoms of eye cancer are based on the type of eye cancers and related varying levels of severity. Normally, eye cancer can occur in any age, but is most apparent in adults. Eye cancer can occur in children with retinoblastoma type of eye cancer. Symptoms of eye cancer in children include: a white pupil, different colored pupil in eye like red with other variations. Symptoms of eye cancer directly attack on the person’s vision and make him or her completely blind. Symptoms can differ in both, adults and children. Symptoms for eye cancer in adults include red and painful eyes, spots in vision area, losses in the periphery area, and changes in color of the iris. Retinoblastoma and melanoma are two types of eye cancer. Intraocular and extraocular both are eye cancer diseases. Retinoblastoma can be classified as intraocular and extraocular and can affect with varying degree of inflammations. Intraocular cancer is an infection in which cancer cells appear in the tissues of the eye. Secondary intraocular cancers are serious cancers that start somewhere else and then spread to the eye. Melanoma is a malignant cancer of melanocytes. Intraocular melanoma is caused through malignant cells that arise in part of the eye called the uvea. Uvea is the vascular tunic of eye and consists of the iris; ciliary body is the circumferential tissue inside the eye composed of the ciliary muscle and ciliary processes, and choroid. Treatment of intraocular melanoma depends on the size and location of the swelling and whether cancer has spread from other organs. The main goal in treating intraocular melanoma is to reduce the risk of tumor from spreading and to maintain the health and vision of the person’s eye. Alternative treatments for eye cancer include reducing alcohol intake, exercises, stress management, massage therapy, eating green leafy vegetables, and fruit juices that help to reduce some of the disease related symptoms. Natural remedies as well as home remedies can also play an important role to prevent eye cancer. Herbal remedies are a safe and gentle way to treat infections like eye strain, itchy eye, redness of the eyes and other eye related disease. There is no reliable method of treating eye cancers other than surgery. Home treatments, laser therapy, and radiotherapy are the standard treatments for eye cancer.
Information on Cancer Symptoms and Causes
Cancer can be explained in simple terms as a destructive growth or tumor, as a result of uncontrolled and abnormal division of cells. Cancer is associated with those who are elderly. It’s a fact that over sixty percent of deaths related to cancer occur in people who are sixty five years of age and above. Cancer can strike people of all age groups and has the potential of developing in almost any organ of the body. The symptoms of cancer are not specific and thus prior information on cancer can be of great help in preparing one to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms, and also treatment and prevention of the disease. Among many other causes of cancer, genetic factors as well as introduction of carcinogens into the body are but to name some. Carcinogens like asbestos, tobacco, cosmetics, perfumes, talc, preservatives and artificial food colors are among a long list of potential cancer causing agents. There are no specific symptoms of cancer. Detection signs or symptoms are totally dependent on cancer screening procedures. The symptoms normally depend on the location of cancer, its size and the effect it has on organ or structure. Some types of cancers spread from one part of the body and display symptoms in a totally different location in the body. But in a critical organ like the brain, a small tumor can present symptoms of cancer at an early stage. In some cases, cancer develops in one part of the body without displaying any apparent signs until it reaches an advanced stage. A classic example of such types is pancreatic cancer. It develops to a limited size that evades detection from outside the body and shows symptoms only at an advanced stage. Prior knowledge and information on cancer can be of great help in treatment of such cases. There is no definite cure for cancer. Some experts argue that cancer is not a disease but a defense mechanism adapted by the body for its very survival but a majority of medical professionals describes cancer as a deadly disease. As such, the best way to deal with this disease is to take measures that render protection against cancer and get updated on ways leading to early detection. One can achieve this by collecting information on cancer from cancer treatment centers which help in throwing light on the various screening tests available to detect the disease and get proper treatment before it’s too late. A good step towards prevention of cancer is to refrain oneself from potential causes of cancer such as exposure to direct sunlight (to avoid harmful rays), engage in health activities like exercise, avoid access alcohol intake, limit smoking. Researchers and scientists have made great breakthroughs and advancements in cancer treatments. Treatment of cancer consists of medications that often carry lethal side effects. Chemo therapy and radiation therapy are classic examples as patients undergo great agony due to side effects of such therapies. Due to similar side effects of cancer treatment, safer forms of alternative treatments are often sought after by those affected. Natural cancer treatments are a popular choice in this direction as they have minimal or no side effects. Besides, natural treatments also help in boosting the immune system and promote healing. A healthy diet is a part of natural treatment and can consist of fresh vegetables and fruits, avoiding fast foods, eating only homemade food, and appropriate exercise. Due to the serious nature of the disease, cancer patients often face anxiety. The underlying fear of the disease can cause depression, breathlessness or tiredness. This can be alleviated by talking to family, friends, a counselor or a specialist.