Onondaga County Health Department Issues Health Alert Regarding Potential Increase in Ocular Syphilis Cases

ONONDAGA COUNTY, MAY 1, 2025 – The Onondaga County Health Department (OCHD) is issuing a health alert to inform healthcare providers and the public about a potential increase in cases of ocular syphilis in Onondaga County. Ocular syphilis is an eye condition that can occur at any stage of syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. If left untreated, it can cause serious and permanent vision loss.

Key Facts About Ocular Syphilis

  • Syphilis is on the rise: Rates of syphilis have been increasing across the United States and in Onondaga County, and this increase may be contributing to a rise in ocular syphilis cases.
  • Ocular syphilis can cause a range of symptoms, including:
    • Changes in vision (blurred vision, decreased vision, or blindness)
    • Eye pain
    • Redness of the eye
    • Sensitivity to light
    • Floaters or spots in vision
    • Uveitis (inflammation inside the eye)
  • Early detection and treatment are crucial: Prompt diagnosis and treatment with penicillin can prevent or minimize vision loss.
  • Risk factors: Individuals at increased risk for syphilis, and therefore ocular syphilis, include:
    • Men and women who engage in unprotected sexual activity
    • People with HIV or other conditions with decreased immune function
    • Men who have sex with men
    • People with multiple sexual partners
    • People using apps for anonymous sexual encounters
    • People who have sex while high on drugs or using alcohol
    • Syphilis occurs in babies, teens, and adults of any age (including seniors)

Call to Action for the Public
The Onondaga County Health Department advises the public to:

  • Practice safer sex: Use condoms consistently and correctly to reduce the risk of syphilis and other STIs.
  • Get tested: If you are sexually active, talk to your healthcare provider about regular STI testing, especially if you have risk factors for syphilis.
  • Get tested for HIV.  OCHD prescribes medication to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV (called HIV PrEP) and other STIs including chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis (called Doxy-PEP)-call (315) 435-3626 or walk in to the Sexual Wellness Center in at the John Mulroy Civic Center, 421 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, NY for low-cost or no-cost STI testing, prevention, and treatment.
  • Seek medical attention for symptoms: If you experience any changes in your vision or eye symptoms, seek prompt medical attention.
  • Inform partners: If you are diagnosed with syphilis, notify your sexual partners so they can get tested and treated.

Call to Action for Healthcare Providers
The Onondaga County Health Department urges healthcare providers to:

  • Be vigilant for ocular symptoms: Consider ocular syphilis in patients presenting with new or unexplained eye symptoms, even if they do not have other symptoms of syphilis.
  • Test appropriately: Perform syphilis serologic testing (treponemal testing and RPR) in patients with suspected ocular syphilis.
  • Consult an ophthalmologist: Promptly refer patients with suspected or confirmed ocular syphilis to an ophthalmologist for a comprehensive eye examination and co-management.
  • Treat promptly: Treat patients with ocular syphilis with the recommended course of intravenous penicillin.
  • Report cases: Report all confirmed cases of ocular syphilis to OCHD to help monitor the extent of the problem and facilitate public health response.

The Onondaga County Health Department is committed to protecting the health of our community. We are closely monitoring the situation and working with healthcare providers to ensure that ocular syphilis is promptly diagnosed and treated.