The list of systemic diseases causing eye and visual problems is very long. Many of the systemic diseases affect the blood vessels throughout the body, including the eyes. Others may affect the muscles, which causes the immune system to interfere with the function of muscles. Diseases of metabolism, the lungs, kidneys, heart, connective tissue and systemic infections all can cause eye disease.
Wegener's Granulomatosis
Wegener's granulomatosis is a disease that causes inflammation of the blood vessels, specifically small arteries. The disorder affects the lungs and kidneys most commonly. It may also affect other tissues such as the eyes, joints and skin. The eyes are affected in up to 58 percent of those with Wegener's, according to a 2001 article in "The Journal of Rheumatology." The journal also notes that the most common manifestations include inflammation of the covering of the eye, the white part of the eye, and the eye socket causing the eye to protrude.
Arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis is a hardening of the arteries that is associated with a family history of the disease, age, smoking, diabetes and other risk factors. As arteriosclerosis worsens, the blood supply to organs will be more limited. This can lead to vision loss, for example by limiting the blood supply to the retina, which is the part of the back of the eyes that receive light. Arteriosclerosis can also damage the optic nerves running from the eyes to the brain.
Hypertension
Hypertension means high blood pressure. This systemic disease also causes damage to many organs, especially the heart, and also may damage the eyes. The higher the blood pressure and longer the blood pressure remains elevated, the greater the effects on vision. Hypertension can cause fluid to leak from the blood vessels and cause swelling of the optic nerve and macula, which is the vision center of the eye, leading to vision loss.
Grave's Disease
Grave's disease is caused by a problem with the immune system. The immune system makes proteins called antibodies that normally stick to and help destroy invading organisms. In Grave's disease, antibodies bind to and activate proteins on the thyroid gland. This causes the thyroid to make excessive amounts of thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone has multiple effects on the body, including speeding up the metabolism. This disease also causes the growth of tissues behind the eyes, forcing them to protrude.
Gaucher's Disease
Gaucher's disease is an inherited metabolic disorder. In this disorder the enzyme glucocerebrosidase is deficient, causing fatty substances to build up in the spleen, liver, bone marrow, lungs and sometimes the nerves. There are several levels of severity and rates of progression of the disease. Two of the three main types can cause damage to the nervous system including the eyes.
References
- "The Journal of Rheumatology"; Wegener's Granulomatosis: The Relationship Between Ocular and Systemic Disease; Stephanie Harper et al.; 2001
- Britannica Online Encyclopedia: Eye Disease: Arteriosclerosis and Vascular Hypertension
- Medline Plus: Hypertensive Retinopathy
- MayoClinic.com: Grave's Disease: Symptoms
- U.S. National Library of Medicine: Genetics Home Reference: Gaucher Disease
