Ocular manifestations in COPD patients. An underrecognized comorbidity.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pulmonology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is frequently associated with comorbidities, notably cardiovascular diseases, which significantly influence patient outcomes.
• Patients with COPD may experience age-related conditions, such as macular degeneration and cataracts, at an earlier life stage.
• Growing evidence indicates a connection between COPD and ocular abnormalities, particularly affecting the posterior eye segment, including retinal microvasculature, optic nerve, choroid, and cornea.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review and describe the ocular findings associated with COPD, emphasizing its status as an underrecognized comorbidity.
• To introduce pulmonologists to current ophthalmological techniques for assessing ocular microvascular networks, relevant to cardiovascular comorbidities.

Main Methods:

• Literature review synthesizing existing evidence on ocular abnormalities in COPD patients.
• Discussion of ophthalmological assessment techniques applicable to COPD comorbidities.

Main Results:

• COPD is associated with various ocular abnormalities, primarily impacting the posterior segment.
• These abnormalities affect the retinal microvascular network, optic nerve, choroid, and cornea.
• Ocular microvascular changes in COPD patients often correlate with cardiovascular comorbidities.

Conclusions:

• Ocular abnormalities are an underrecognized comorbidity in COPD patients.
• Assessing ocular microvascular networks can provide insights into cardiovascular health in COPD.
• Further research and clinical integration of ophthalmological assessments are encouraged for COPD management.