Ocular Manifestations of Buerger’s Disease – A Review of Current Knowledge

Urszula Szydełko-Paśko,1 Joanna Przeździecka-Dołyk,1,2 Rafał Małecki,3 Andrzej Szuba,3 Marta Misiuk-Hojło1 1Department of Ophthalmology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland; 2Department of Optics and Photonics, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wrocław, Poland; 3Department of Angiology, Systemic Hypertension and Diabetology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, PolandCorrespondence: Urszula Szydełko-Paśko, Department of Ophthalmology, Wroclaw Medical University, Borowska 213, Wrocław, 50-556, Poland, Tel +48 71 736 43 00, Email u.szydelko@gmail.comAbstract: Buerger’s disease, also known as thromboangiitis obliterans, is a disorder of primarily small and medium arteries and veins of the arms and legs. We have failed to find a comprehensive review discussing a possible link between the disease and the eyes. The aim of this study is to review current knowledge on the topic of ocular manifestations in the course of Buerger’s disease. The Medline and Web of Science databases were searched without a time or language limit. We have managed to review 13 articles, describing the involvement of the eyes in thromboangiitis obliterans. It appears that patients suffering from Buerger’s disease may develop non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION), occlusive retinal vasculitis and periphlebitis, papillophlebitis, central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO), branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO), normal tension glaucoma (NTG), uveitis, chorioretinal atrophy, retinitis, papillitis, optic atrophy, changes typical for hypertensive retinopathy. Additionally the abnormalities in electroretinography might be present. The treatment options and the possible outcome depend on the type of ocular manifestations, so it seems impossible to propose a universal therapy. We would like to raise awareness of the possible ocular manifestations in the course of Buerger’s disease.Keywords: Buerger’s disease, anterior ischemic optic neuropathy, central retinal artery occlusion, normal tension glaucoma, uveitis