How Lyme Disease Can Affect the Eyes: What You Need to Know

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that Lyme disease is the most common systemic tick-borne illness in the U.S. The number of people infected with Lyme disease is much higher than once thought.

The CDC estimates that about 300,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease each year. Despite how common Lyme disease is, many people are not aware that it can affect various parts of the body, including the eyes.
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What Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is an infection caused by a bite from a tick infected with Borrelia burgdorferi, a type of bacteria. According to the American Lyme Disease Foundation, the bacteria is primarily found in ticks in the upper east coast and upper Midwest states.
 
At first, Lyme disease affects the skin near the site of the bite. If left untreated though, the infection can spread to the nervous system, joints, and other organ systems.
 
Symptoms of Lyme disease include a rash at the site of the bite, which usually has a bull’s eye appearance. Additional symptoms may include:

• Swollen glands
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Sore throat

• Fever

 
If the disease progresses, several other symptoms can develop, some of which can be severe. Symptoms may include memory loss, difficulty concentration, and numbness in the hands, feet, and arms.
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Lyme Disease & The Eyes

Lyme disease can also involve the eyes, leading to a variety of symptoms. Lyme disease is typically divided into three stages, including early localized, early disseminated, and late disseminated. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Lyme disease can affect the eyes in any of the three stages.
 
The extent of ocular symptoms can vary greatly. Certain symptoms also tend to develop at specific stages of the infection. Possible ocular complications of Lyme disease include the following:
 
Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, which is often referred to as pink eye, involves inflammation of the white part of the eye called the conjunctiva. If conjunctivitis occurs, it is typically in the first few weeks of the infection. According to the AAO, conjunctivitis occurs in about ten percent of people that have Lyme disease. Symptoms include red eyes, itching, and discharge.
 
Light Sensitivity
Some people with Lyme disease also develop light sensitivity. Certain antibiotics used to treat Lyme disease may also cause light sensitivity as a side effect.
 
Inflammation
Inflammation of the eye structures can also develop in people that have Lyme disease. When eye inflammation develops, it usually occurs in the third or late disseminated stage of the disease. Inflammation may affect the optic nerve, which can become serious and even lead to vision loss. Symptoms of optic neuritis include eye pain, loss of color vision, and flashing lights.
 
The retinal vessels can also become inflamed, leading to blurred vision and floaters. Inflammation of the facial nerves may develop and lead to Bell’s palsy-like symptoms. Symptoms might decrease the ability to close the eye, which dries the cornea and can lead to an infection. 
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Treatment for Lyme Disease

Although Lyme disease is common, it is not always diagnosed quickly. Many people don’t realize a tick bit them. Symptoms are often vague at first and can be attributed to many conditions. If diagnosed and treated early though, the prognosis for Lyme disease is usually good, and eye complications can be prevented.
 
Treatment for Lyme disease involves administration of antibiotics. Depending on the severity of symptoms, antibiotics may be given orally or intravenously. Usually, the sooner antibiotics are prescribed, the fewer the complications and the quicker recovery occurs.
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Preventing Lyme Disease

Lyme disease can often be prevented. The first step in prevention is to understand your risk. The CDC website lists the states where most Lyme disease infections occur. If you live and / or travel to one of these states, it’s essential to take certain precautions when spending time outside to prevent infection. 
 
Consider the following ways to prevent Lyme disease:

• Use insect repellent: When outside, use an insect repellent that contains DEET. Also, consider using permethrin on clothes. Permethrin should not be used on the skin.
• Check for ticks after spending time outdoors: Look at areas that were exposed to make sure a tick has not attached to your skin. Ticks are small, so they are easy to miss. Also make sure to check places like hair, armpits, and groin, as ticks migrate to warm and moist areas of the body. 
• Remove the tick: If you find a tick on your body, carefully remove it with a tweezer, and be sure that you’ve removed the entire tick. If the tick is attached for less than 24 hours, your risk of getting Lyme disease is low.

• Stay out of high grass and brush when hiking: Ticks may commonly be in high grass and brush and can easily attach to your skin, particularly if your legs are exposed.

 
If you have symptoms of Lyme disease or know a tick bit you, see your doctor as soon as possible. It’s also important to have an eye exam to determine if you have any eye complications. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our eye doctors, please call our office at 508-746-8600.
 
Thanks for reading. Enjoy summer, and be sure to protect yourself from ticks and Lyme!