Ocular manifestations of cardiovascular and hematologic disorders.

The past year's important advancements in the ocular manifestations of cardiovascular and hematologic diseases are reviewed. Systemic changes related to blood pressure and carotid artery disease are commonly manifested on the ophthalmic examination. Ocular ischemic changes have been observed in patients with unusual aortic or congenital cardiac disorders. The ophthalmologist plays an important role in the detection of patients who are at risk for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. The hematologic disorders affecting the eye are subdivided into benign and malignant categories. A spectrum of diseases that include sickle cell hemoglobinopathy, aplastic anemia, leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma are discussed. With increased patient survival time after bone marrow transplantation, secondary ophthalmic complications are being identified. Although the ocular findings in the hematologic maladies are diverse, they may be an indication of serious systemic complications and have significant visual consequences.