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 ...
Read More »Iris/Anterior Chamber Disorders
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 ...
Read More »Disorders of the Lens
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. ...
Read More »Glaucoma
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 ...
Read More »Hypertensive Retinopathy
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 ...
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