Dubai: In a rare surgery, surgeons from RAK Hospital restored vision in a patient suffering from optic neuritis, a condition triggered by nerve damage or eye infection causing inflammation to the optic nerve and characterised by pain and loss of vision.
In this case, the patient Nawzer Lala suffered from diabetes with positive Anti MOG syndrome (MOG, or myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, is an antibody which makes the eye reistant to antibiotics) that complicated his neuritis, making recovery difficult.
After experiencing repeated attacks of pain around the eyeball with visual loss alternatively in both eyes, Lala was referred to Dr Sweta Adatia, Specialist Neurologist at RAK Hospital, who detected the problem immediately and identified the antibody after a complete examination.
- Dr Sweta Adatia (left) | Specialist Neurologist
Dr Adatia said: “In 15-20 per cent of cases, those who eventually develop Multiple Sclerosis [MS], optic neuritis is their first symptom. The risk of developing MS following one episode of optic neuritis is approximately 50 per cent within 15 years of any first episode of optic neuritis. However, certain forms of optic neuritis are not related to MS. They are autoimmune in nature with the body’s own mechanism attacking the optic nerve.”
Dr Adatia pointed out that Lala’s case was unusual and challenging.
“Being diabetic and having the presence of anti MOG positive antibodies in high titers created several issues in Lala, including his inconsistent response to steroids and constant fluctuation in sugar levels. Whereas, tapering of high dosage of steroids, essential for the treatment, immediately led to repeated attacks, while other immune therapies didn’t help either in curbing the attack.”
Dr Adatia added that this was the first such case treated in the UAE.
“There have only been a few hundred such cases recorded so far where the patient with Optic Neuritis was found positive for the MOG anitbody, causing the condition to relapse despite treatment with steroids and other immune suppression agents. This obviously meant we hardly had any evidential data to support us during the treatment plan. However, despite encountering several obstacles, we were eventually successful in stabilising the attacks with the help of pulsed steroid therapy while maintaining the regular oral steroids,” said Dr Adatia.
Lala who had 6/6 vision restored said: “The timely intervention and precise diagnosis by the experienced neuroscience team of doctors at RAK Hospital was instrumental in restoring my vision and now I am enjoying the world with colours just like everyone else. With the help of the team, I am now working on leading a healthier lifestyle with proper checks on diabetes, coupled with regular exercise and a healthy diet.”
Dr Raza Siddiqui, CEO, Arabian Healthcare Group and Executive Director RAK Hospital, added: “Since this was such an unusual case, the challenges of therapy and recovery were very unique too. We at RAK Hospital take great pride in our experienced team and their ability to instantly recognise the disease and suggest prompt diagnosis and therapy.”
