Ophthalmologic complications of systemic disease

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Internal Medicine
• Infectious Disease

Background:

• The human eye serves as a window to systemic health.
• Ophthalmologic findings can indicate underlying systemic diseases.
• Emergency department providers may encounter these signs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review ophthalmologic manifestations of systemic diseases.
• To highlight findings detectable by emergency providers and specialists.
• To emphasize indications for emergent ophthalmologic consultation.

Main Methods:

• Review of systemic diseases with ocular manifestations.
• Discussion of findings evident on examination.
• Identification of conditions requiring specialist consultation.

Main Results:

• Ocular signs associated with syphilis, herpes zoster, Lyme disease, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), Reiter's syndrome, Kawasaki's disease, temporal arteritis, endocarditis, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were reviewed.
• Specific ophthalmologic findings indicative of these systemic conditions were discussed.
• Criteria for urgent ophthalmologic consultation were outlined.

Conclusions:

• Ophthalmologic examination is crucial for diagnosing systemic diseases.
• Emergency providers play a key role in identifying early ocular signs.
• Prompt specialist consultation improves patient outcomes for systemic conditions with ocular manifestations.