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Query: UMLS:C0022568 (keratitis)
 5,133 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous DNA virus of the herpesvirus genus with a high prevalence rate for antibody (about 90%) in the adult population. It is the most common causative agent of infectious mononucleosis syndrome. During recent years an increasing number of ocular disease entities have been reported to be linked to EBV infection. These entities include oculoglandular syndrome, conjunctivitis, dry eye, keratitis, uveitis, choroiditis, retinitis, papillitis and ophthalmoplegia. While EBV-specific serologic tests can now document recent and past primary infection with EBV and also identify patients manifesting atypical immunologic reactions to EBV, the lack of an animal model, the absence of clear-cut response to therapy and the paucity of documentation by culture render the pathogenesis uncertain or the association questionable in many of these cases.
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PMID:Ocular disease associated with Epstein-Barr virus infection. 217 61

This article analyzes various types of ocular disorders associated with the use of oral contraceptives (OCs) as well as the ocular risks of pregnancy in diabetic women. Numerous publications have described the secondary ophthalmologic effects of OCs since they have entered into widespread use. Such effects or complications are rare, nonspecific, occur after a short or long duration of use, and may be serious or minor. Among less serious reported effects are modifications of refraction or ocular tension, intolerance of contact lenses, keratitis, and alterations of color vision. Vascular complications are the most serious effect tentatively identified, but few prospective and comparative studies have been conducted to confirm the relationship. The role of OCs is assumed from observation of a few cases, and is disturbing because vascular accidents are rare in women under age 40. The vascular effects may include venous or arterial occlusion of the retina, isolated bleeding, retinal edema, vascular pseudo-papillitis, or visual problems resulting from transient cerebral ischemic accidents and ophthalmic migraines. Such effects may threaten the eyesight, but an American study recently found 82 cases among 10-15 million OC users. Occlusion of the main retinal artery usually results in loss of sight and functional recuperation is unusual. Spasm of the central retinal artery may precede occlusion and requires immediate ophthalmologic examination and discontinuation of OCs. Venous occlusion occurs less suddenly and involves a less extensive loss of sight. The prognosis depends on the affected area. Some effects, such as isolated retinal bleeding and vascular pseudo-papillitis, are reversed on termination of OC use. The risk of ocular vascular accidents is affected by smoking, irregular lipid and glucose metabolism, and hypertension. A history of vascular problems, visual problems, or migraines should be excluded before OCs are prescribed, and an initial ophthalmologic examination can explore retinal vascular anomalies and follow high risk patients with fluorescent angiography. Migraines should be considered a warning signal; if they appear premenstrually or persist despite use of low-dose pills, another method of contraception should be used. The considerable elevation of levels of estrogen and progesterone that occurs in pregnancy has no major ocular consequences for normal women but may cause or aggravate retinopathy in diabetic women. Few prospective studies have been done, but it appears that 80% of retinopathies that originate in pregnancy remain uncomplicated. Preexisting conditions are likely to become more serious. The most serious are associated with elevated rates of spontaneous abortion and neonatal complications. A diabetic woman desiring to have children should be advised to do so as early as possible and should be screened for retinal disease and treated before becomig pregnant.
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PMID:[The eye and hormones: vascular disorders associated with combined oral contraceptives and pregnancy]. 1228 Feb 1