EYE CAN SEE DISEASE

SYSTEMIC DISEASES AND THE EYE

Tiffany Tran
Dr. Tracy Eickhoff, O.D.
Bella Vista Eyecare Associates
Optometrist
ISM Fall 2016
Mrs. Click

*Some information in this presentation comes from outside sources.

MY MENTOR
Dr. Tracy Eickhoff, O.D.

Bachelor of Science Degree in

Biomedical Science at Texas A&M
University (2004)
Doctor of Optometry Degree at University
of Houston College of Optometry (2008)
Dr. Eickhoff and myself

WHAT'S INDEPENDENT STUDY MENTORSHIP?

An advanced academic level course that allows students to
learn from an adult professional in a specific career of their
choice. The teacher/instructor gives students guideline
instructions and the students choose and create their own
plan of study. The course gives students a chance to learn
from professionals firsthand and get experience in that
certain field of study.

WHAT'S INDEPENDENT STUDY MENTORSHIP?

(CONT.)
Course Requirements

Have a minimum of 3 hours of mentorship activity every week.

Document experiences with a Journal Entry every week.
Complete all of the required assignments
Create a professional online portfolio to showcase assignments
and final project.
Complete an in-depth mentorship
Create a final product and presentation relating to the area of
study.

ONLINE PORTFOLIO

ARTIFACTS

MY TOPIC
My mentor taught me that on my first
mentorship day. Diseases like diabetes or
conditions like hypertension can be found
or checked on through eye examinations.
That especially interested me because my
mother has diabetes and hypertension.

Eye Chart. FactHealthcare. FactHealthcare, 16 March 2013. Web. Oct 9 2016.

THE EYE AND ITS STRUCTURE

Transparent tissue
Only organ with direct view
of blood vessels
Optical blood vessels can
portray condition of the

blood vessels throughout the

body
The Anatomy of the Eye. Digital image. Animaldoctor2010. WordPress, N.d. Web. 7 Oct. 2016.
"The Eye in Systemic Disease." Systemic Disease and the Eye. University of Illinois College of Medicine, n.d. Web. 30
Sept. 2016.

DIABETES
Diabetes: disease where insulin production or quality is impaired,
which can result in fluctuating blood glucose levels
In the eye, it mainly affects blood vessels and common symptoms are:
Arterial stenosis (narrowing of arteries)
Microaneurysms (tiny swellings in the walls of blood vessels)
New vessel formation

"The Eye in Systemic Disease." Systemic Disease and the Eye. University of Illinois College of Medicine, n.d. Web.
30 Sept. 2016.
Yunker, J. Jacob. Ocular Manifestations of Systemic Disease. N.d. PowerPoint Presentation. 30 Sept. 2016

DIABETES (CONT.)
Other ocular manifestations
include:
Cotton wool spots (soft exudates)
Hard exudates (hardened fluid)
Hemorrhages

Cotton Woolspots. Digital image. Marble-Cheesecake. Blogger, 4 March 2012. Web. 7 Oct 2016.
Lowth, Mary. "Eye in Systemic Disease." Patient. EMIS Group Plc., 22 Sept. 2015. Web. 28 Sept. 2016.

HYPERTENSION
Hypertension can first be found by observing arteriolar narrowing
within an eye.
Other ocular manifestations include:
Cotton wool spots
Hard exudates
Retinal hemorrhages

High blood pressure and eye disease. Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System. Franciscan
Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, 2 Sept. 2014. Web. 8 Oct. 2016.
Lowth, Mary. "Eye in Systemic Disease." Patient. EMIS Group Plc., 22 Sept. 2015. Web. 28 Sept. 2016.

HYPERTENSION (CONT.)
Although not a disease, hypertension is still a relevant condition as it
can lead to:
Organ damage (esp. heart and kidney)
Arterial damage
Stroke
Peripheral artery disease
Vision loss
Lowth, Mary. "Eye in Systemic Disease." Patient. EMIS Group Plc., 22 Sept. 2015. Web. 28 Sept. 2016.

AIDS/HIV
Common ocular symptoms AIDS and HIV can include:

Eye infection
Retinal detachment
Eyelid tumors
Neuro-ophthalmic disorders

Benign tumour: molluscum. Dr. Arteaga. ngel Arteaga Snchez, n.d. Web. 9 Oct 2016.
"The Eye in Systemic Disease." Systemic Disease and the Eye. University of Illinois College of Medicine, n.d.
Web. 30 Sept. 2016.

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS)

Multiple sclerosis: a demyelinating disease mainly known to
damage the spinal cord and brain
Often the first nerve to be affected by the acute demyelination of
multiple sclerosis (MS) is the optic nerve, causing optic neuritis. (1)
Can cause eye movement problems
Can lead to optic nerve disease

1. Lowth, Mary. "Eye in Systemic Disease." Patient. EMIS Group Plc., 22 Sept. 2015. Web. 28 Sept. 2016.
2. "The Eye in Systemic Disease." Systemic Disease and the Eye. University of Illinois College of Medicine, n.d.
Web. 30 Sept. 2016.

GRAVES DISEASE
The first indication that a patient may have Graves Disease
or any form of hyperthyroidism is proptosis, protruding eyes.
Other ocular manifestations include:
Lid retraction
Corneal exposure
Dry eye and ulcers

Diplopia
Optic neuropathy
Bulging eye of a person with proptosis. WeHeartVision. LaserEyeSurgeons.net, n.d. Web. 9 Oct 2016.
Yunker, J. Jacob. Ocular Manifestations of Systemic Disease. N.d. PowerPoint Presentation. 30 Sept. 2016.

CONCLUSION
Ive had a wonderful experience learning at Bella Vista. Ive
learned how an optometrist does their job from a more personal
perspective, how to utilize specialized equipment, and how to
interact with patients.

ANY QUESTIONS?

SPECIAL THANKS TO
Dr. Eickhoff
Juan Diaz
Antonio Maldonaldo
Christiana
Mrs. Click
My parents
Eduardo Leon

WORKS CITED
Benign tumour: molluscum. Dr. Arteaga. ngel Arteaga Snchez, n.d. Web. 9 Oct 2016.
Bulging eye of a person with proptosis. WeHeartVision. LaserEyeSurgeons.net, n.d. Web. 9 Oct
2016.
Cotton Woolspots. Digital image. Marble-Cheesecake. Blogger, 4 March 2012. Web. 7 Oct 2016.
Eye Chart. FactHealthcare. FactHealthcare, 16 March 2013. Web. Oct 9 2016.
High blood pressure and eye disease. Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System.
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, 2 Sept. 2014. Web. 8 Oct. 2016.
Lowth, Mary. "Eye in Systemic Disease." Patient. EMIS Group Plc., 22 Sept. 2015. Web. 28 Sept. 2016.
<http://patient.info/doctor/eye-in-systemic-disease>.
"The Eye in Systemic Disease." Systemic Disease and the Eye. University of Illinois College of Medicine,
n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2016. <http://chicago.medicine.uic.edu/cms/One.aspx?pageId=15427346>.
M, Lenake. "The Eye in Systemic Disease." African Journals Online (AJOL). South African Family
Practice, 2014. Web. 30 Sept. 2016.
<http://www.ajol.info/index.php/safp/article/view/102691/92958>.
The Anatomy of the Eye. Digital image. Animaldoctor2010. WordPress, N.d. Web. 7 Oct. 2016.
Yunker, J. Jacob. Ocular Manifestations of Systemic Disease. N.d. PowerPoint Presentation. 30
Sept. 2016.