Ocular Health and It’s Interconnection With Systemic Disease: A Population Based Study

Abstract

Diverse complications associated with diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy, uveitis, and optic atrophy are experienced due to systemic diseases that affect ocular health. These ocular symptoms often manifest multisystemic pathologies and represent a link between system health and ocular health. The researcher explored the prevalence, diagnostic challenges, and clinical implications of the effect of systemic diseases (including diabetes, hypertension, autoimmune disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases) on ocular health. A meta-analysis of the peer-reviewed data, clinical trials, and epidemiological studies was performed. The effectiveness of diagnostic modalities, including optical coherence tomography (OCT), fundus photography, and biomarker analyses, to identify ocular manifestations was assessed. Associations were quantified using the odds ratios and pooled prevalence using statistical analyses. The highest pooled prevalence was for diabetic retinopathy (35.2%), followed by hypertensive retinopathy (27.8%), autoimmune-related uveitis and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (22.5%), and neurodegenerative associated optic atrophy (18.6%). Fundus photography and biomarker analysis supplemented OCT as the most used diagnostic tool. Strong associations were observed, with diabetes significantly linked to retinopathy (OR: 6.45, p < 0.001). Systemic diseases severely impair ocular health, highlighting the importance of early screening, interdisciplinary care, and readily available diagnostic assistance derived from diagnostic aids. Ocular assessments should be integrated into routine healthcare, and public health initiatives should emphasise just that. Further investigation into rare cases, pediatric cases, and molecular mechanisms consequently allows us to expand our understanding and prospect new therapeutic strategies.