[Vital capillary microscopy and with ophthalmoscope-detected findings in progressive systemic scleroderma]

Nineteen patients suffering from scleroderma (average age 56.6 years; 18 women, 1 man) were examined by in vivo capillary microscopy of the nail fold. The possibility of achieving results with the ophthalmoscope was examined. The correspondence between ophthalmoscopic and television microscopic results was evaluated. With the ophthalmoscope hemorrhages were found in 68% of the patients, reduction in the number of capillaries in 79%, avascular areas in 79%, and dilated capillaries in 84%. The correspondence between the findings of the two methods was 80% and more, so that examination of the nail fold capillaries with an ophthalmoscope can help to verify the diagnosis of scleroderma. This method should be employed whenever scleroderma is suspected and microscopical equipment is not available.