BACKGROUND: To evaluate the extent of morphological changes of the perilimbal vessels of the conjunctiva in patients with general vascular disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With a questionnaire systemic vessel diseases were investigated in 285 patients (m:f = 145:140; mean age = 54 +/- 19 years) with pericorneal vessel alterations. Persons without any morphological alteration of the perilimbal vessels served as control group (n = 58; m:w = 44:14; mean age 26 +/- 13 years). RESULTS: In the patient group we found the following pericorneal vessel alterations: vessel ectasia in 79%, vessel aneurysm in 41%, vessel interruptions in 37% and avascular regions in 12%. The distribution of the three most frequent systemic vascular processes in the patient/control group was: peripheral vascular spasm (cold hands and/or feet) in 57%/19%, migraine in 39%/14% and arterial hypertension in 33%/3%. CONCLUSION: Alterations in perilimbal vessels seem to be correlated with systemic vascular disorders. In case of perilimbal vascular anomalies an internal medical examination should be considered.
BACKGROUND: To evaluate the extent of morphological changes of the perilimbal vessels of the conjunctiva in patients with general vascular disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: With a questionnaire systemic vessel diseases were investigated in 285 patients (m:f = 145:140; mean age = 54 +/- 19 years) with pericorneal vessel alterations. Persons without any morphological alteration of the perilimbal vessels served as control group (n = 58; m:w = 44:14; mean age 26 +/- 13 years). RESULTS: In the patient group we found the following pericorneal vessel alterations: vessel ectasia in 79%, vessel aneurysm in 41%, vessel interruptions in 37% and avascular regions in 12%. The distribution of the three most frequent systemic vascular processes in the patient/control group was: peripheral vascular spasm (cold hands and/or feet) in 57%/19%, migraine in 39%/14% and arterial hypertension in 33%/3%. CONCLUSION: Alterations in perilimbal vessels seem to be correlated with systemic vascular disorders. In case of perilimbal vascular anomalies an internal medical examination should be considered.