[Pericorneal vascular changes as an expression of systemic vascular processes].
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the extent of morphological changes of the perilimbal vessels of the conjunctiva in patients with general vascular disorders.


METHODS
With a questionnaire systemic vessel diseases were investigated in 285 patients (m:f = 145:140; mean age = 54 +/- 19 years) with pericorneal vessel alterations. Persons without any morphological alteration of the perilimbal vessels served as control group (n = 58; m:w = 44:14; mean age 26 +/- 13 years).


RESULTS
In the patient group we found the following pericorneal vessel alterations: vessel ectasia in 79%, vessel aneurysm in 41%, vessel interruptions in 37% and avascular regions in 12%. The distribution of the three most frequent systemic vascular processes in the patient/control group was: peripheral vascular spasm (cold hands and/or feet) in 57%/19%, migraine in 39%/14% and arterial hypertension in 33%/3%.


CONCLUSIONS
Alterations in perilimbal vessels seem to be correlated with systemic vascular disorders. In case of perilimbal vascular anomalies an internal medical examination should be considered.
Stübiger
N
N
Abteilung I, Universitäts-Augenklinik Tübingen.
Erb
C
C
Rohrbach
J M
JM
Thiel
H J
HJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000098:blood supply*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*