THE CORNEA AND SYSTEMIC-DISEASE

The cornea is involved in many systemic disorders. However, the manage ment of those corneal changes associated with the connective tissue di seases has altered considerably as a result of a better understanding of the etiology of these disorders. The clinical features that differe ntiate one etiology from another are now becoming apparent and many of these changes can be supported by laboratory investigations. The rela tionship between these conditions and abnormalities of the tears are s till poorly understood and until this relationship is clearer, there w ill be no great strides forward in therapy.