SMC team restores woman’s eyesight

Manama: A highly skilled team of ENT, Head and Neck Surgeons saved a woman from getting permanently blind through a major surgery to remove a fungus from her nose and sinuses. 

The sophisticated surgery was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Habib Merza, consultant ENT, Head & Neck, Facial Plastic Surgeon with involvement of Dr. Ali Qassim and Dr. Nasreen Mumtaz.

The patient visited the hospital after noticing that she cannot see from her right eye for two days and her vision was deteriorating.

“We did necessary investigations including C.T. Scan, which showed a fungal mass compressing the optic nerve and causing serious damage to the skull base.” Dr. Merza said.

Urgent endoscopic sinus surgery was held immediately, following which the surgical team was able to save both eyes of the patient. 

Dr. Merza added that fungal infections of the sinuses have recently been blamed for causing most cases of chronic rhinosinusitis with dangerous complications. 

Most fungal sinus infections are non-invasive, except when they occur in individuals who are immuno-compromised. Several available reports have shown invasive fungal infections in immuno-competent individuals.

He added that distinguishing invasive disease from non-invasive disease is important because the treatment and prognosis are different for both.