The skin and the eye are intimately related organs. For example, the skin and mucous membranes and corneal epithelium share a common embryologic ancestry; the surface epithelium derives from surface ectoderm, and the subepithelial connective tissues and vascular components derive from mesoderm (Duane, Tasman, & Jaeger, 2002). Furthermore, the eye examination is a critical component to any complete total body skin examination. Not only can ocular findings be part of a constellation of signs and symptoms in a disease, but they can also be key manifestations for an astute clinician to make a correct diagnosis (Coleman, 1996).
Many of the most common skin disorders have ocular manifestations, albeit nonspecific ones. Acne rosacea, a common and chronic inflammatory condition, has associated ocular findings in approximately 50% of patients who experience the disease, including meibomian gland dysfunction and/or chronic conjunctivitis, peripheral corneal neovascularization, marginal corneal infiltrates with or without ulceration, and iritis (Mannis, Macsai, & Huntley, 1996). Atopic dermatitis, a chronic eczematous skin condition, can also have ocular manifestations. Patients can develop keratoconus, a noninflammatory, degenerative corneal ectasia characterized by thinning and cone-shaped protrusion of the central cornea. Other ophthalmologic findings associated with atopic dermatitis include blepharitis, conjunctivitis, and even atopic cataracts (Mannis et al., 1996).
Although many skin disorders have several ocular-associated manifestations, as illustrated above, some ophthalmologic findings are more specific and in fact pathognomonic. Herein, we present a summary of important ocular findings found in dermatologic disorders (Table 1). The summary is not meant to be exhaustive; rather, it highlights certain disease associations and gives healthcare providers an appreciation of ocular findings in dermatology.
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