PATHOLOGIC CHANGES IN THE EYE ASSOCIATED WITH SUBACUTE BACTERIAL ENDOCARDITIS

Abstract

Subacute bacterial endocarditis is a complication of heart disease which is often brought to the attention of the ophthalmologist because of the striking fundic picture. We had the opportunity of obtaining at autopsy the eyes of 5 patients who died of this disease at Montefiore Hospital. The ocular lesions were of special interest, as they were visible to a considerable extent during life and often suggested the diagnosis early. Christian¹ stated that only early diagnosis offers any hope of aid from chemotherapy. According to Libman and Friedberg² the disease is due to infection with bacteria of low virulence of an abnormal heart. The abnormality may be congenital malformation, such as patency of the interventricular septum, pulmonary stenosis or patency of the ductus arteriosus, but is usually the result of chronic valvular disease of the rheumatic type affecting the mitral and aortic valves. Syphilitic disease of the aortic valve