Canine ophthalmic patients with endocrine and metabolic disorders - a review

The eye is particularly sensitive to various pathological processes in the body. Ocular changes are often the first symptoms of serious systemic diseases. Due to hormonal and metabolic disturbances in patients with endocrinopathies and metabolic disorders, secondary ophthalmic diseases can occur. Systemic diseases often cause ocular problems in animal and human patients. Early diagnosis of ophthalmic symptoms can help to identify a primary cause, such as endocrinopathies, and start an effective treatment. In some cases, clinical signs of systemic diseases are poorly documented in veterinary ophthalmology. Cataracts, retinopathy, metabolic disorders and systemic hypertension are common problems in animals with diabetes mellitus. Patients with hyperadrenocorticism may develop complications secondary to hyperlipidaemia and hypertension. Acute blindness due to sudden retinal dege­ne­ration (SARDS) has been associated with pituitary-adrenal axis disorders. Growth hormone disorders can result in secondary ocular complications due to hypertension (corneal infiltrates, decreased tear production and neurological dysfunction). Animals with hyperthyroidism may have ophthalmic problems associated with systemic hypertension and subsequent retinal bleeding or detachment.