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

Abstract

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.

Thromboangiitis obliterans: a review

“…21 When the occlusion is marked, it produces ischemia of the upper and lower extremities, this represented as intermittent claudication initially in the arch of the foot, which is usually an early sign and as it progresses, it compromises the calf until it generates pain at rest, Raynaud's phenomenon, skin color changes, tingling, numbness of the fingers and toes, and ultimately ulcers and gangrene. 22,23 In severe cases, amputation may be necessary although compared to patients with atherosclerosis it is much less. Death in patients with Buerger's disease is very unusual and is not an expected complication.…”

“…26 The main manifestations reported in different studies are summarized in Table 1. [20][21][22][23] Table 1: Clinical manifestations of Buerguer's disease.…”

Buerger's Disease in the Testicle: A Case of Testicular Thromboangiitis Obliterans

“…Raynaud\s phenomenon and superficial thrombophlebitis are other common findings [3,4]. Of note, cerebral, visceral, ocular, and coronary vessels may be affected, albeit rarely [7,[9][10][11][12]. There have also been rare cases of Buerger\s involving the male reproductive organs, including the spermatic cord and the testis [13][14][15][16][17][18].…”