Systemic eye diseases

             Systemic eye diseases are classified into infectious and non- infectious. Various types of  non- infectious disease like Endocrine – diabetes, thyroid disorders, Connective tissue disease – SLE, Sarcoidosis, Behcet’s Disease,Phakomatoses etc. coming under this category. Systemic disease due to Syphilis, Leprosy, HIV, CMV, Toxoplasmosis etc. classified under Infectious systemic eye disease. 

Thyroid associated disease                                 

Orbital inflammatory conditions

Orbital cellulitis presents as redness, swelling and tenderness in the periocular tissues In preseptal cellulitis the infection is confined to the eyelids, and is usually a complication of a localised infective focus such

as a chalazion. In true orbital cellulitis the structures behind the orbital septum are involved, producing the 'orbital apex syndrome' of proptosis, visual loss, external and internal ophthalmoplegia, ptosis and sensory loss in the distribution of the 1st and 2nd divisions of the 5th cranial nerve . The infection is often derived from the paranasal sinuses, but may be from haematogenous spread or from an infected globe (endophthalmitis). Once established, orbital cellulitis may be complicated by subperiosteal abscess formation or spread via the orbital veins to produce cavernous sinus thrombosis orabscess. The causative organisms are generally staphylococci, streptococci or haemophilus. Treatment is with high dose parenteral antibiotics while closely monitoring the patient for complications.

Orbital pseudotumour  is an idiopathic, non-granulomatous inflammation of

the orbital soft tissues. It presents acutely, mimicking orbital cellulitis, or more slowly, mimicking thyroid - associated disease. It may be unilateral or bilateral. Middle - aged females are most commonly affected. Pain is a prominent symptom; other features are lid swelling, chemosis, proptosis and

restrictive ocular myopathy. Histologically it consists of a mixed inflammatory cell infiltrate consisting of neutrophil and eosinophil polymorphs, plasma cells and lymphocytes. With disease progression there is a prominent fibroblastic reaction involving orbitaland extraocular muscle. A similar process may affect the orbital apex (Tolosa - Hunt syndrome) causing early visual loss. Treatment involves steroids, immunosuppressives and radiotherapy. Palliative orbital decompression may have a role in selected cases.

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Reference on  Indian medicinal plants ; Ayurveda and its treatments.