Systemic disease and the eye
Common systemic diseases affecting the eye
Infectious Toxoplasmosis Toxocariasis TB Syphilis Leprosy HIV CMV
Non-infectious Endocrine – diabetes, thyroid Connective tissue disease – RA/ SLE/ Wegeners/ PAN/ Systemic sclerosis Vasculitides (GCA) Sarcoidosis Behcet‟s Disease Vogt Koyanagi Harada syndrome Phakomatoses
THYROID EYE DISEASE
1. Soft tissue involvement
• • • • Periorbital and lid swelling Conjunctival hyperaemia Chemosis Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis
2. 3. 4. 5.
Eyelid retraction Proptosis Optic neuropathy Restrictive myopathy
Soft tissue involvement
Periorbital and lid swelling Conjunctival hyperaemia
Chemosis
Superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis
Signs of eyelid retraction
Occurs in about 50%
• Bilateral lid retraction • No associated proptosis
• Bilateral lid retraction • Bilateral proptosis
• Unilateral lid retraction • Unilateral proptosis
• Lid lag in downgaze
Proptosis
• Occurs in about 50% • Uninfluenced by treatment of hyperthyroidism
Axial and permanent in about 70%
May be associated with choroidal folds
Treatment options
• Systemic steroids • Radiotherapy • Surgical decompression
Optic neuropathy
• Occurs in about 5% • Early defective colour vision • Usually normal disc appearance
Caused by optic nerve compression at orbital apex by enlarged recti
Often occurs in absence of significant proptosis
Restrictive myopathy
• Occurs in about 40% • Due to fibrotic contracture
Elevation defect - most common Abduction defect - less common
Depression defect - uncommon
Adduction defect - rare
SARCOIDOSIS
Idiopathic multisystem disorder Characterised by non-caseating granulomata More common in women 20-50 yrs More common in blacks and Asians ? Related to mycobacteria
SARCOIDOSIS Systemic Involvement
Lung lesions – 95% Thoracic lymph nodes – 50% Skin lesions – 30% Eyes – 30%
SARCOIDOSIS Ocular Involvement
Anterior segment lesions (30%)
Conjunctival granuloma Lacrimal gland involvement/dry eye Acute or chronic uveitis KPs described as ‘mutton fat’ because they are large and greasy
SARCOIDOSIS Ocular Involvement
Posterior segment lesions (20%)
Patchy venous sheathing Cellular infiltrate around vessels Chorioretinal granulonmas Vasculitis including occlusive causing:Neovascularisation Infiltrate in vitreous (vitritis) including cell clumps (snowballs)
SARCOIDOSIS Ocular Involvement
Sheathing of the retinal veins Fluorescein angiography showing leakage and staining at sites of sheathing
SARCOIDOSIS Granuloma in Fundus
Retinal and preretinal
Choroidal
SARCOIDOSIS Granuloma in Fundus
Optic nerve head granuloma
Normal optic nerve head
SARCOIDOSIS Systemic Signs
Lupus pernio affecting the nose – a chronic progressive cutaneous sarcoid that most commonly affects face and ears
SARCOIDOSIS Systemic signs
Facial palsy
Salivary gland enlargement
SARCOIDOSIS Systemic signs
Hilar adenopathy on chest x-ray Lung infiltrate Erythema nodosum Arthritis
SARCOIDOSIS Investigations (1)
CXR – to detect pulmonary signs Bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy
Pulmonary mottling
SARCOIDOSIS Investigations (2)
Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) – elevated in active sarcoidosis Mantoux test – caution in patients who have had BCG vaccination. Test may be negative Lung function tests
SARCOIDOSIS Investigations (3)
Gallium scan showing increased uptake in the lacrimal and parotid glands and pulmonary regions in a patient with active sarcoidosis
SARCOIDOSIS Treatment
Systemic steroids may be necessary in patients with posterior segment disease where vision is threatened, especially if optic nerve is involved
PHACOMATOSES
1. Neurofibromatosis
• Type I (NF-1) - von Recklinghausen disease
• Type II (NF-2) - bilateral acoustic neuromas
2. Tuberous sclerosis (Bourneville disease) 3. von-Hippel-Lindau syndrome
4. Sturge-Weber syndrome
Neurofibromatosis type-1 - (NF-1)
•
• • •
Most common phacomatosis Affects 1:4000 individuals Presents in childhood Gene localized to chromosome 17q11
Café-au-lait spots
Appear during first year of life
Increase in size and number throughout childhood
Fibroma molluscum in NF-1
Appear at puberty • Pedunculated, flabby nodules consisting of neurofibromas or schwannomas
•
Increase in number throughout life • Usually widely distributed
•
Plexiform neurofibroma in NF-1
• •
Appear during childhood Large and ill-defined
• May be associated with
overgrowth of skin
Skeletal defects in NF-1
•
Facial hemiatrophy
• •
Mild head enlargement - uncommon Other - scoliosis, short stature, thinning of long bones
Orbital lesions in NF-1
Optic nerve glioma in 15% Spheno-orbital encephalocele
• Sagittal MRI scan of optic nerve glioma invading hypothalamus • Glioma may be uni or bilateral
• Axial CT scan of congenital absence of left greater wing of sphenoid bone • Pulsating proptosis without bruit!
Eyelid neurofibromas in NF-1
Nodular Plexiform
May cause mechanical ptosis May be associated with glaucoma
Intraocular lesions in NF-1
Lisch nodules Congenital ectropion uveae
Very common - eventually present in 95% of cases
Uncommon - may be associated with glaucoma
Choroidal naevi
Retinal astrocytomas
Common - may be Multifocal and bilateral
Rare - identical to those seen In tuberous sclerosis
Ocular features of NF-2
Very common presenile cataract -
Common - combined hamartomas of RPE and retina
Tuberous sclerosis (Bourneville disease)
•
•
Autosomal dominant Triad - mental handicap, epilepsy, adenoma sebaceum
Ash leaf spots Shagreen patches
Adenoma sebaceum
• •
Around nose and cheeks Appear after age 1 and slowly enlarge
• •
Hypopigmented skin patches In infants best detected using ultraviolet light (Wood’s lamp)
• •
Diffuse thickening over lumbar region Present in 40%
Systemic hamartomas in tuberous sclerosis
Astrocytic cerebral hamartomas Visceral and subungual hamartomas
• Slow-growing periventricular tumours • May cause hydrocephalus, epilepsy and mental retardation
Usually asymptomatic and innocuous • Kidneys (angiomyolipoma), heart (rhabdomyoma)
•
Retinal astrocytomas in tuberous scleritis
• •
Innocuous tumour present in 50% of patients May be multiple and bilateral
Early
Semitranslucent nodule
White plaque
Advanced
Dense white tumour Mulberry-like tumour
Systemic features of v-H-L syndrome
Autosomal dominant
CNS Haemangioblastoma Visceral tumours
MRI-spinal cord tumour
• Tumours - renal carcinoma and phaeochromocytoma
•
Cysts - kidneys, liver, pancreas, epididymis, ovary and lungs Polycythaemia
Angiogram of cerebellar tumour
•
Retinal capillary haemangioma in v-H-L syndrome
• •
Vision-threatening tumour present in 50% of patients May be multiple and bilateral
Early
Tiny lesion between Small red nodule arteriole and venuole Advanced
Associated dilatation and Round orange-red mass tortuosity of feeder vessels
Systemic features of Sturge-Weber syndrome
Naevus flammeus Meningeal haemangioma
• •
Congenital, does not blanche with pressure Associated with ipsilateral glaucoma in 30% of cases
• •
CT scan showing left parietal haemangioma Complications –mental retard, epilepsy and hemiparesis
Ocular features of Sturge-Weber syndrome
Glaucoma
Buphthalmos in 60% May be associated with episcleral haemangioma Diffuse choroidal haemangioma
Normal eye
Affected eye
Peripheral corneal involvement in rheumatoid arthritis
Without inflammation With inflammation
• Chronic and asymptomatic • Acute and painful • Circumferential thinning with intact • Circumferential ulceration and epithelium (‘contact lens cornea’) infiltration
Treatment - systemic steroids and/or cytotoxic drugs
Peripheral corneal involvement in Wegener granulomatosis and polyarteritis nodos
Circumferential and central ulceration similar to Mooren ulcer
Unlike Mooren ulcer sclera may also become involved
Treatment - systemic steroids and cyclophosphamide
Ocular manifestations of HIV infection
Introduction
AIDS is an infectious disease caused by the gradual decrease in CD4+ T lymphocytes causing subsequent opportunistic infections and neoplasia. It is a blood borne and sexually transmitted infection caused by the HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) Approximately 36 million persons around the world are infected. Up to 70% of patients infected with HIV will develop some form of ocular involvement, ie: direct infection by HIV,opportunistic infections and neoplasia. HIV infection progresses though different phases
Ophthalmic Manifestations of HIV Infection
AROUND THE EYE Molluscum Contagiosum Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus Kaposi‟s Sarcoma Conjunctival Squamous Cell Carcinoma Trichomegaly FRONT OF THE EYE Dry Eye Anterior Uveitis BACK OF THE EYE Retinal Microvasculopathy CMV Retinitis Acute Retinal Necrosis Progressive Outer Retinal Necrosis Toxoplasmosis Retinochoroiditis Syphilis Retinitis Candida albicans endophthalmitis NEURO-OPHTHALMIC
Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection of the skin. Affects up to 20% of symptomatic HIV infected patients. Clinically appears like painless, small, umbilicated nodules, which produce a waxy discharge when pressured. Treatment consists on excision of the lesion, curettage or cryotherapy
Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus
Due to the reactivation of a latent infection by Varicella Zoster Virus in the dorsal root of trigeminal nerve ganglion. It manifests with a maculo-papulo-vesicular rash which often is preceded by pain. Usually involves the upper lid and does not cross the midline Treatment consists on oral Aciclovir 800mg 5 times /day. In immunocompromised patients Aciclovir is given intravenously for two weeks. Ocular manifestations such as anterior uveitis, are treated with topical steroids and mydriatics.
Kaposi‟s Sarcoma
Kaposi‟s sarcoma is a vascular neoplasm which is almost exclusively seen in patients with AIDS. KS is the commonest anterior segment lesion seen in AIDS; appears as a violaceous non-tender nodule on the eyelid or conjunctiva. Typically KS involves only the skin but when there is a reduced CD4 count it can progress rapidly to other sites such as the gastrointestinal tract and CNS Treatment of ocular adnexal KS may be necessary for cosmesis and to relieve functional difficulties. The mainstay of treatment is radiotherapy. Other options include cryotherapy or chemotherapy.
Conjunctival Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the third most common neoplasm associated to HIV infection. This may be due to an interaction between HIV, sunlight and Human Papilloma Virus infection. SCC appears as a pink, gelatinous growth, usually in the interpalpebral area. Often an engorged blood vessel feeding the tumour is seen. It may extend onto the cornea, but deep invasion and metastasis are rare. The treatment of choice is local excision and cryotherapy but the presence of orbital invasion is an indication of exenteration
Trichomegaly
Trichomegaly or hypertrichosis is an exaggerated growth of the eye lashes found in the later stages of the disease The cause is not known When symptomatic or for cosmetic reasons the eyelashes can be trimmed or plucked
Dry Eye
Sicca syndrome is common with HIV infection Patients complain of burning uncomfortable red eyes. There are several causes of dry eye in HIV infection from blepharitis to destruction of the lacrimal glands. Treatment is with tear supplements
Anterior Uveitis
HIV related anterior uveitis can be: Direct manifestation of the HIV infection autoimmnune in origin drug induced ie: rifabutin, secondary to direct toxic effect upon the nonpigmented epithelium of the ciliary body. Any of the different infections associated with AIDS :Herpes Zoster Virus, Herpes Simplex Virus, Cytomegalovirus, Toxoplasma gondii Syphilis
Rifabutin induced anterior uveitis
Retinal microvasculitis
Retinal microvasculopathy occurs in more than half of the patients with HIV It is seen as transient cotton wool spots (CWS), intra-retinal haemorrhages and microaneurysm, Occurs in 50-70% of patients. It is usually asymptomatic. Unclear pathogenesis,but thought to be HIV infection of retinal vascular cells. Serological test for HIV will confirm the diagnosis. Treatment is based in delaying the progression of the disease associated with HIV.
Cotton Wool Spots
CMV Retinitis
Introduction
CMV Retinitis is the commonest intraocular ocular opportunistic infection seen in patients with AIDS Antibodies are found in almost 95% of adults, causing a trivial illness in immunocompetent adults, however severe immunosuppression causes viral reactivation and tissue invasive disease Reactivation from extraocular sites leads to seeding in other sites such as the retina The number of newly diagnosed cases of CMVR has decreased since the introduction of the HAART
Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy
Pathogenesis
Epidemiology
CMV Retinitis
Clinical manifestations
Patients may complain of minor visual symptoms such as floaters, flashing lights or mild blurred vision, or be totally asymptomatic. It presents with a wide range of clinical appearances. From cotton wool spots which may look like HIV Retinopathy to confluent areas of full thickness retinal necrosis and vasculitis. CMVR can progress in a “brushfire” pattern from the active edge of an active lesion. The retinal vessels in an affected area show attenuation, becoming ghost vessels eventually. The treatment of CMVR in patients with AIDS requires the use of specific antiviral agents, ganciclovir, foscarnet or cidovir in conjunction with HAART. These treatments can be administered orally, intravenously or intravitreally. Systemic treatment has the advantage of treating infection elsewhere in the body as well as the other eye but has the disadvantages of systemic side effects.
Treatment
CMV Retinitis
Acute Retinal Necrosis
ARN is a confluent peripheral whitening of the retina with marked vitritis and blood vessel closure. Optic neuritis and retinal detachment are frequent complications. ARN is usually due to Varicella-Zoster infection, but it can also be caused by Herpes Simplex virus or Cytomegalovirus. Initially described in the immunocompetent, it has also been described in the immunosuppressed. The diagnosis is mainly clinical and is confirmed by PCR assays on vitreous samples. Patients are treated with high doses of intravenous aciclovir or famciclovir, combined with laser treatment to prevent retinal detachment.
Acute Retinal Necrosis
Progressive Outer Retinal Necrosis (Varicella-Zoster Retinitis)
PORN is a devastating viral retinitis caused by Varicella-Zoster virus, without vitritis or retinal vasculitis. The retinitis can be located anywhere but it is common for the lesions to coalesce and spread posteriorly in a rapid fashion. The main symptom is rapid loss of vision.The retina shows typically a white lesion with no haemorrhages or exudates. Treatment is often unsatisfactory (Ganciclovir and Aciclovir). The prognosis is very poor and retinal detachment is common. Resolution may leave a white plaque with the appearance of “cracked mud”.
Toxoplasma Retinochoroiditis
Toxoplasmosis retinochoroiditis is an uncommon infection of the eye in AIDS. Ocular toxoplasmosis in HIV positive patients is different in appearance from immunocompetent patients. HIV infected patients often have bilateral and multifocal disease associated with anterior uveitis and vitritis No pigmented scars adjacent to the areas of retinal necrosis. (unlike in immunocompetent patients) Retinochoroiditis is not self-limiting as it is in imunocompetent patients.
Toxoplasma Retinochoroiditis
When testing patients for antibodies to toxoplasmosis both IgG and IgM levels may be raised, but in immunocompromised patients these tests may be negative. Often associated with toxoplasma lesions in the Central Nervous System.
Treatment in immunocompromised patients sulphadiazine or clindamycin +/- pyrimethamine and folinic acid (triple therapy). Long term maintenance to prevent relapses.
MRI T1 showing an uniformly enhancing lesion in the midbrain
One week later, the lesion showing ring enhancement
Immunocompetent
Immunocompromised
Syphilis Retinitis
There is a strong association between syphilis and HIV infection. It can manifest as a retinitis with dense vitritis, retinal vasculitis, serous retinal detachment or neuroretinitis, conjunctivitis, anterior uveitis, cranial nerve palsies and optic neuritis. Treatment high dose of intravenous Penicillin for 2 weeks.
Candida albicans endophthalmitis
Infection with candida albicans is rare. Candida albicans is the commonest cause of fungal endophthalmitis Affected patients usually have a history of drug abuse or indwelling central lines or immuno-compromised. In the initial stages, floaters are the main symptom. As the condition progresses, whitish “puff-balls” and vitreous strands develop („string of pearls‟) The treatment depends on the severity of the ocular involvement and systemic disease. The original foci should be removed. The drugs of choice are Amphotericin B and Fluconazole
Candida albicans endophthalmitis
Glossary
CD4: Director of the immune response. When activated it releases cytokines which in turn will activate the immune system Cotton Wool Spots: Light-coloured deposits in the retina secondary to infarcts of the nerve fibre layer HAART: Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Immunoblogulin: Protein in charge of fighting foreign substances in our body. IgG is the commonest type of immunoglobulin and IgM is the earliest class of immunoglobulin. PCR: Polymerase Chain Reaction is a technique used to make numerous copies of an specific portion of DNA VDRL: Venereal Disease Research Laboratory. The test becomes negative after successful treatment of the disease.