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Biomedical subjects

Susan Lightman

Publications and source records attributed to Susan Lightman.

40 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Scleritis.

Scleritis is typically a severe painful inflammatory process centered in the sclera that may involve the cornea, adjacent episclera, and underlying uvea; it poses a significant threat to vision. Careful clinical history taking, detailed ocular examination, appropriate investigation for ocular disease with or without underlying systemic disease, and timely intervention with the use of immunosuppressant drugs when necessary, has improved the long-term outcome for patients with this disease.

Humans↗

The eye in systemic sepsis.

Metastatic or endogenous endophthalmitis (EE) is a serious consequence of systemic sepsis. It is defined as intraocular infection resulting from haematogenous spread of organisms in which the initial focus of infection is at a site distal to the eye. A red/sore eye in a patient with a known septic focus needs urgent attention as EE can be a major cause of visual loss. Early diagnosis and treatment are associated with better visual outcome. This article focuses on the two main causes of EE, namely bacterial and fungal infections, and also briefly mentions dissemination of cytomegalovirus to the eye in immunocompromised patients. Although conscious patients may notice an ocular problem, unconscious or very sick patients may not; vigilance by medical staff in looking for early signs of this is extremely important.

Candidiasis↗

The eye in systemic vasculitis.

The term 'vasculitis' includes a wide range of disorders characterised by inflammation of the wall of blood vessels, sometimes with necrosis, leading to ischaemia of the affected organ. The exact pathogenesis of most of these vasculitides is not fully understood and although the presence of circulating auto-antibodies seems to be a common feature among them, each vasculitis has its unique pathogenesis and a predilection for vessels of a defined size. Systemic vasculitis may be associated with ocular complications which include scleritis, keratitis, uveitis and optic neuropathy. These can precede the symptoms/signs of the systemic disease and therefore their recognition may lead to detection of the underlying disorder. The eye may also be affected by the treatment required to control the systemic disease.

Autoimmune Diseases↗