The eye and liver disorders

There are ocular changes associated with a wide spectrum of congenital, familial and acquired liver diseases and disorders. The early identification of ocular changes may aid diagnosis of the underlying liver condition. This is particularly important in conditions where there are effective treatments which can arrest hepatic damage. It is also of considerable value in patients who have untreatable disorders because identification of the correct diagnosis may offer prognostic information and spare the patient unnecessary invasive investigation. This article discusses the ocular findings in selected liver disease and reviews the current literature on the subject. The principles of investigation and diagnosis and treatment are described. Data on the incidence and prevalence of ocular involvement in liver conditions are included where such figures are available. The potential transmission of viral hepatitis following corneal grafting is discussed.