Encyclopedia > Ocular manifestations of systemic disease
Many systemic diseases have symptoms or manifestations related to the eye or visual system. Diabetes, for example, is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in those aged 20-74, with ocular manifestations such as diabetic retinopathy and macular edema affecting up to 80% of those who have had the disease for 15 years or more. Despite these intimidating statistics, research indicates that at least 90% of these new cases could be reduced if there was proper and vigilant treatment and monitoring of the eyes.
Early in the disease, the conjunctiva is chemotic, glistening, and grayish-pink, and the ocular discharge is serous.
Ocularmanifestations of hypercalcemia from hyperparathyroidism, neoplasia, renal failure, and hypoadrenocorticism may be associated with white, perilimbal calcium crystals on the conjunctiva, corneal degeneration, and cataracts.
The nasolacrimal system is comprised of secretory and drainage apparatuses.
Systemically, it may affect any cartilage structure, but also may have severe cardiovascular involvement of aortitis, vasculitis, valvular insufficiency, and aneurysms in approximately 30% of the affected patients.(5) In the head and neck region, the cartilaginous structures of the ear and nose are commonly involved, with deformities related to tissue destruction (i.e.
In primary systemic amyloidosis, the areas generally affected are the heart, tongue, and gastrointestinal tract, while in secondary systemic amyloidosis, there is an underlying chronic inflammatory disease such as tuberculosis, osteomyelitis, or rheumatoid arthritis and the tissues usually involved are the spleen, adrenals, liver, and kidneys.
This is an autoimmune disease that is manifest as systemic necrotizing granulomas and vasculitis with a predilection for the upper and lower respiratory tracts and renal system.
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