- Advertisement
- Three E-Zine Alternatives You May Not Have Considered
- SEO Tactics - Signal Your List With Viral Direct e-Mail Quake
- 16 Customer and Client Generating Tools For Recession
- Advice
- Musicians, Put More Time Into Doing What You Love
- An Effective Way to Cope with Being Dumped
- Natural Treatment For Varicose Veins
- Business
- What's in Your Portfolio?
- Salehoo Drop Shipping Coffee
- Tips When Seeking A Promotional Item
- Entertainment
- NFL To Stream Sunday Night Games Live
- Watch Movies Online For Free Downloads - Rent Movies Online - Streaming Movies Online - Watch
- Woodhouse Audio Visual Services and Rentals
- Family
- When both parents work, do children suffer?
- Kid`s Favorite Party Christmas Games & Ideas - Santa`s Best Xmas Jokes
- EXERCISE AND KIDS (PART-3)
- Health & Fitness
- EXERCISE AND KIDS (PART-3)
- Soy-One of The Best Active Ingredient for Skin Care
- What Does Radiation Therapy For Localized Prostate Cancer Involve?
- Hobbies
- MY MANIA WITH FASHION BRACELETS
- Secret Carp fishing Bait Recipes Formulation!
- How to Bind Documents with Plastic Comb Binding
- Home & Garden
- These Famous Poodles
- Quality Office Furniture Vs the Cheap
- Kid`s Favorite Party Christmas Games & Ideas - Santa`s Best Xmas Jokes
- Internet
- Benefits of Microsoft Certification
- Craigslist Ghosting - What Happened to My Ad?
- Why Outsource Graphic Designers, Web Programmer, Call Centre Agents, Telemarketer Staff, Virtual As
- Miscellaneous
- Using a Hair Dryer to Rapidly Dry a Watercolor
- How to Easily Start a Motivational Speaking Career
- Ark Angels Gate
- News
- The Pentagon's Battle Plan Is To Go Green
- American Airlines Drops Google Lawsuit
- SEOMoz Dishes On 'Give It Up' Secrets
- Reference
- Hot Walkers for the Holidays!
- 5 Massive Mistakes Homeowners Make When Hiring a Home Stager
- Origins of Christmas
- Relationships
- How To Prevent A Break Up
- How to meet men or women from the comfort of your home
- An Effective Way to Cope with Being Dumped
- Self Improvement
- Pathological Gambling and Poly-Behavioral Addiction
- Age New Spirituality - The Open Secret ( Read It At Your Own Risk )
- Roger Revaks Book, Internal Vision: A Ten-Day Journey to True Happiness
- Spiritual
- Origins of Christmas
- Can 10 Million People be Wrong about Meditation?
- Roger Revaks Book, Internal Vision: A Ten-Day Journey to True Happiness
- Sports
- Serious Sports Fans Spend More Time Online
- Carp Bait Making For Beginners And Cheap Big Fish Baits!
- NFL To Stream Sunday Night Games Live
Database Error. System Administrator has been notified and this problem will be solved as soon as possible. We are sorry for the inconvenience.Database Error. System Administrator has been notified and this problem will be solved as soon as possible. We are sorry for the inconvenience.Database Error. System Administrator has been notified and this problem will be solved as soon as possible. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
Eye Problems Associated With Immunological Disorders
01/02/2009 - By Jay Stockman
Patients with systemic diseases and conditions frequently will also have ocular manifestations of those disorders. Recognizing these findings is vital to proper treatment.
Patients who come to our office with complaints of dry eyes, or inflammatory conditions like Iritis, Uveitis, Scleritis or Episcleritis frequently are also suffering form immunological conditions as well. While we can usually treat the ocular conditions effectively, the individual must seek medical treatment from his/her general practitioner for the underlying disorder.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune condition resulting in inflammation. The Rheumatoid factor attacks the immunoglobulin G (IgG), resulting in the release of inflammatory cytokines from white blood cells causing edema and cell death. The joints are particularly at risk for damage. In the eye, the basement membranes break down; thereby permitting the destruction of the underlying ocular tissue. At first, this occurs at the tear producing gland (lacrimal gland) causing a decrease in tear production, and then dry eye. Episcleritis, the inflammation of the outer most layer of the eye wall, is a common result as well. These conditions are frequently treated with either topical steroids, and/or NSAIDs very effectively. A more serious condition is Uveitis which is an internal inflammation. This may result in permanent damage to the eye. In severe cases Anti-rheumatoid medicines such as Plaquenil must be employed.
HLA-B27 disorders are a group of diseases that present with similar ocular findings. The conditions include Ankylosing Spondylitis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Arthritis, and Behcet’s Disease; there are other connective tissue disorders as well. The most common ocular finding with these disorders is nongranulomatous Uveitis, and Iritis. Treatment includes pupillary dilation, and topical steroids like Pred Forte. Recurrence frequently occurs, and rapid aggressive treatment is needed to prevent chronic inflammation and ocular damage.
Acne Rosacea presents with pustules, papules, and telangiectasia (small blood vessels in the skin). Ocular findings include chronic blepharitis (lid inflammations), conjunctivitis, meibomian gland break down, corneal thinning and then perforation. Treatment begins with artificial tears and warm compresses, and increases to antibiotic eye drops and steroids drops if needed. Doxycycline, an oral antibiotic has been found to be very affective in curing the blepharitis component of the disorder.
Giant Cell Arteritis is an inflammation of the giant cell arteries in the cranial cavity, and requires emergency treatment. Rapid treatment is required, or the condition can be fatal. The eye doctor may notice changes in the Optic nerve. This patient needs to be hospitalized as soon as possible.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis and Proctitis, are inflammations in the intestinal walls. Ocular manifestations may include Episcleritis and Uveitis. Unlike with the other conditions discussed, IBD may results in Posterior Uveitis which is more serious, and may result in greater ocular damage. Treatment then may require systemic immunosuppressant and injections directly in the eye. This treatment may lead to Cataracts, Glaucoma and Cystoid Macular Edema. Treatment must therefore be carefully monitored.
With immunological disorders the key to proper treatment is rapid, accurate diagnosis. If left untreated, many of these ocular findings can severely damage the eye and reduce vision.
Dr. Jay Stockman is a practicing doctor for http://newyorkvisionassociates and contributing editor to http://clecontactlenses.com
