Dr Alex Ng
The anterior segment of the eye usually refers to the cornea, iris, and lens. Most of the anterior segment conditions can be diagnosed clinically with a slit lamp. However, even without a slit lamp, many anterior segment signs can be picked up using a torch together with close observation alone. This is particularly important as…
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…