A 36-year-old man from Xi’an, China, has lost sight in his right eye after stopping medication for chronic mouth ulcers that later turned out to be part of a serious autoimmune condition known as Behçet’s disease.
Years of Oral Ulcers and Ignored Symptoms
Mr Li had suffered from painful oral ulcers every month for over 20 years, attributing them to “internal heat.” About five years ago, he began experiencing blurred vision, redness, and severe pain in both eyes — warning signs of deeper inflammation.
Doctors diagnosed him with Behçet’s disease with uveitis, an inflammatory condition that can affect multiple organs, including the eyes. With timely medical treatment, his condition initially improved.
Relapse After Stopping Medication
However, once his symptoms subsided, Mr Li stopped taking his prescribed medications and only took steroids occasionally. Without consistent follow-up care, the disease flared up again, causing severe ocular inflammation and secondary glaucoma.
Three months ago, Mr Li went completely blind in his right eye. Doctors at Xi’an City People’s Hospital explained that his optic nerve was irreversibly damaged due to prolonged inflammation. Fortunately, emergency treatment helped restore partial vision in his left eye.
What Is Behçet’s Disease?
Behçet’s disease is a rare autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body. Symptoms include mouth ulcers, genital sores, skin rashes, and eye inflammation. If left untreated, it can lead to vision loss, stroke, or other systemic complications.
Doctors warn that long-term medical supervision and adherence to treatment are critical to prevent irreversible damage.
