Systemic Disease Eye Exam
Systemic diseases are diseases that involve many organs or the whole body. Many of these diseases also affect the eye. In fact, an eye exam sometimes leads to the first diagnosis of a systemic disease.
Because the eye is composed of many different types of tissue, it is susceptible to a wide variety of diseases. This unique feature makes the eye susceptible to a wide variety of diseases as well as provides insights into many body systems. Almost any part of the eye can give important clues to the diagnosis of systemic diseases. Signs of a systemic disease may be evident on the outer surface of the eye (eyelids, conjunctiva and cornea), middle of the eye and at the back of the eye (retina). The eye is the only organ in the body in which a doctor can directly see blood vessels.
Systemic Disease Eye Exam
Systemic diseases are diseases that involve many organs or the whole body. Many of these diseases also affect the eye. In fact, an eye exam sometimes leads to the first diagnosis of a systemic disease.
Because the eye is composed of many different types of tissue, it is susceptible to a wide variety of diseases. This unique feature makes the eye susceptible to a wide variety of diseases as well as provides insights into many body systems. Almost any part of the eye can give important clues to the diagnosis of systemic diseases. Signs of a systemic disease may be evident on the outer surface of the eye (eyelids, conjunctiva and cornea), middle of the eye and at the back of the eye (retina). The eye is the only organ in the body in which a doctor can directly see blood vessels.
Sarcoidosis – a disease that mainly affects the lungs, brain, joints and eyes, found most often in young African-American women.
Systemic lupus erythematosus – a connective tissue disorder involving mainly the skin, joints and kidneys.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
Sickle cell disease – an inherited blood disorder that can block circulation throughout the body, primarily affecting African-Americans
Multiple sclerosis – a disease that damages nerve coverings, causing weakness, coordination and speech disturbances.
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