Ocular manifestations of Lyme disease

Despite the wide spectrum of clinical entities, eye involvement remains a rare event in patients with Lyme borreliosis. Most of ocular manifestations occur during the late phase of the disease. The infection needs to be considered along with more conventional causes of ocular inflammation, particularly in regions where Lyme disease is common. The pathogenesis of this condition remains controversial. Direct ocular infection and a delayed hypersensitivity mechanism may be involved at different disease stages. Uveitis and optic neuritis are the most common ocular complications. Serological testing lacks sensitivity and specificity. In atypical cases, ocular fluids sampling and analysis may be proposed. PCR seems to be an interesting diagnostic tool, allowing genotypic analysis. In the majority of cases, therapeutic strategy should be based on the association of antibiotics and corticosteroids. A new course of antibiotics may be prescribed to patients with chronic or relapsing inflammation due to bacterial persistence in ocular tissues.     

Cutaneous manifestations of malignant disease.

This review discusses the more common cutaneous disorders associated with internal malignancy. Some rare but specific entities are included, and some recently recognized associations are highlighted. Particular emphasis is given to the key physical signs, which can alert the physician to the possibility of underlying neoplastic disease.     

Neurological manifestations of malignant disease

Neurological complications of cancer are some of the most feared manifestations of malignant disease. Their frequency is increasing with improvements in the treatment of primary systemic disease. This article discusses the approach to patients with neurological complications of cancer and reviews some of the most common causes.     

Ocular manifestations of AIDS

Between 40-94% of patients with florid AIDS develop ocular complications indeed, these may be the presenting feature of the disease. They fall into four categories: primary retinal microvascular disease; opportunistic infections of the eye and adnexa; neoplasms of the eye and adnexa; and neurophthalmic abnormalities.     

Ocular manifestations of vitamin-A deficiency in man

Vitamin-A deficiency continues to be one of the most widely prevalent and devastating nutritional diseases of man. This is in spite of the discovery of vitamin A more than half a century ago and its now ready availability in inexpensive concentrated form. Lack of knowledge at many levels is the basis of this tragic situation, which may result in needless blindness and loss of life, especially among young children.     

Ocular manifestations in porphyria cutanea tarda]

Ninety two patients suffering from porphyria cutanea tarda were examined ophthalmologically in a paired case-control study. The incidence of pinguecula and that of pterygium were 8 times and 2 times higher, respectively, in PCT patients that in the control group. The photodamage of the conjunctiva is presumed to be a result of the photoactivity of uroporphyrin in the tissues.