Sepsis and Vision Loss | Sepsis Awareness Month

Most people develop an occasional infection, such as the flu or sinus infection. In some cases, the infection becomes widespread and can set off an inflammatory reaction in the body. If this occurs, sepsis can develop. Sepsis can lead to serious complications, including blindness.

Although sepsis may not be something everyone has heard of, it is a common condition. 
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September is Sepsis Awareness Month. Continue reading to learn more about how sepsis can rob you of your vision and what you can do to prevent it. 
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What is sepsis? 

Sepsis is a reaction that occurs in the body due to an infection. The infection may spread into the bloodstream, and the body reacts by releasing various chemicals to fight the infection. But when sepsis develops, the release of the chemicals triggers a reaction causing inflammation. The inflammation can cause leaky blood vessels and blood clots, which leads to widespread organ damage.

Sepsis can develop due to many different types of infections. A few of the most common causes of sepsis include:

• Pneumonia
• Urinary tract infections
• Colon infection
• Bloodstream infection

According to Research America, in the United States, about 1.7 million people develop sepsis each year. Of those, unfortunately, about 270,000 die. 
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How vision loss may occur with sepsis 

Sepsis can lead to organ damage, including the kidneys and liver. In some cases, it can also lead to eye problems, including vision loss. For example, the original organism that caused the initial infection may spread to the eyes and damage vision.

The inflammation and leaky vessels that can develop from sepsis may also cause damage to the eyes and potentially vision loss. Research in the Journal of Critical Care involved 31 patients with sepsis. Examination of their retinal vessels was done twice a day using retinal fluorescein angiography for the first five days of their ICU stay. Additionally, ocular pressure was measured.

Results indicated that 50 percent of the patients had signs of eye damage, including retinal micro-hemorrhages, and vitreous hemorrhages. In 75 percent of the patients, the retinal damage was in both eyes. Increased ocular pressure was also found in 16 percent of the patients with sepsis.
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Post sepsis syndrome may also develop in some people even after they have recovered from acute sepsis. It’s thought that lingering changes from the initial illness may continue for months, which may include vision changes. 

Preventing sepsis and preserving vision 

It may not always be possible to prevent all infections, but there are things you can do to decrease your risk and also prevent sepsis from developing, such as the following:

Don’t ignore symptoms: If you have symptoms of sepsis, don’t ignore it. If you have an infection and develop any of the following, seek immediate medical attention:

• Severe pain
• Confusion
• High fever
• Shortness of breath
• Clammy skin

Treat wounds: Wounds left untreated can become infected, which may, in turn, lead to an infection throughout the body and sepsis.

Get immunizations: Preventing infection is one of the best ways to decrease your chances of developing sepsis. Staying up to date on your immunizations to prevent infectious diseases, such as the flu, pneumonia, and whooping cough, is helpful.

Pay attention to changes in the eyes: If you have been diagnosed with sepsis or are recovering, talk to your doctor about any vision changes you might experience. The earlier the problems are identified, the sooner treatment can start.

Get routine eye exams: Getting routine eye exams to rule out other eye diseases is important for everyone, but if you develop an infection that leads to sepsis, it is even more critical. Going into an infection with healthy eyes helps decrease your risk of complications.

Sepsis can threaten your vision and your life. If you have an infection and symptoms of sepsis, do not take chances. It is essential to seek medical help.

Please call our office at 508-746-8600 to discuss whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time. 
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