Visual System in Some Systemic Diseases

Abstract

Behcet’s disease was initially described by a Turkish dermatologist, Behcet, in 1937 as a triad of oral ulcers, genital ulcers and hypopyon uveitis and it has subsequently been confirmed in the medical literature.1 Oral ulcers are the most common clinical feature. They are recurrent and painful, ranging from 2 mm to 12 mm in size, often coming in crops. The genital ulcerations have similar features, but are less often diagnosed.1,2 The skin disease can be erythema nodosum, superficial thrombophlebitis, pyoderma, or a phenomenon called pathergy, which is defined as the presence of a pustule after breaking of the skin by a needle, such as in blood drawing. The arthritis is an asymmetric, nondeforming, large joint polyarthritis that is frequently steroid responsive. Cardiac involvement and central nervous system disease have been reported.3 Vascular disease is common and can present as a migratory superficial thrombophlebitis, major vessel thrombosis, superior and inferior vena cava syndrome, arterial thrombosis, aortic aneurysm or even peripheral gangrene.2–4 Familial occurrences and platelet disturbances have been cited as important predisposing factors in the pathogenesis of Behcet’s disease.5–8