Neuro-ophthalmic manifestations of systemic disease--hematology.

The hematopoietic system is a complex mixture of circulating blood cells, plasma, and plasma proteins. Disorders of the hematologic system may result from excess or impaired production of blood cells, destruction of blood cells, or abnormal function of existing blood cells. The afferent and efferent visual systems may both be affected by blood cell disorders, and the specific manifestation is dependent upon which cell line is involved, the type of dysfunction, and the characteristics of the target tissue. This article reviews the ocular and neuro-ophthalmic manifestation of hematologic disorders.