A number of systemic conditions can cause corneal problems. Rheumatological conditions, in particularly rheumatoid arthritis, can cause a peripheral thinning of the cornea called peripheral ulcerative keratitis. If untreated, this can lead to perforation of the cornea and loss of integrity of the globe. Other examples include systemic lupus erythematosus, Wegener’s granulomatosis and polyarteritis nodosa….
Inflammation of the iris – iritis, also referred to as anterior uveitis, can be associated with a number of systemic conditions, the most common being the sero-negative spondyloarthropathies. In uveitis, the signs include ciliary injection, anterior chamber cells, keratitic precipitates on the posterior surface of cornea, and posterior synechiae (adhesion between the lens and iris,…
Ageing is the most common cause of cataracts (Figure 1), but a number of systemic conditions are also associated with development of cataracts, e.g. myotonic dystrophy (Christmas tree cataract, Figure 2), medications (such as anti-psychotics causing stellate cataract) and Wilson’s disease (sunflower cataract). Figure 1. Nuclear sclerosis cataract – this is the most common form…
Dr Jennifer Shum Introduction Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive death of retinal ganglion cells (RGC) and their axons, leading to characteristic optic nerve structural damage and visual field deficits. It is the second leading cause of blindness in developed countries. Risk factors A high intraocular pressure (IOP) is the strongest risk…
Introduction The fundus exam offers a unique opportunity to assess the state of a patient’s blood vessels. Systemic hypertension results in chronic changes, known as arteriosclerosis, which vary in severity according to long-term blood pressure control. A fundus examination is therefore an important exam for risk stratification of a patient’s overall vascular risk profile. Fundus…