H-pylori can cause RPE, geographic atrophy, lattice degeneration, retinal holes, retinal tears, and retinal detachments. H-pylori attacks retinal epithelium, and burrows downward to attack collagen, causing loss of adherence (RPE) of retinal layers, inflammation, thinning, pitting, and atrophy; and ultimately retinal holes, tears and detachments. Chlamydia trachoma, psittacosis and pneumonia can also attack retinal epithelium and endothelium, and retinal vessels. Chronic infection can cause thinning and stretching of the retina, and the tension leads to holes or thin spots at the peripheral edges, i.e. lattice degeneration.
Toxoplasmosis can also cause retinal degeneration, with depigmented areas on the retina, and ultimately loss of vision. 70% of children born with toxoplasmosis, who were not treated within the first year, developed new lesions on the retina during the next decade; which lesions were similar to chorioretinitis and ICSR.
Stomach pathogens can attack the eye through various routes, and cross the placenta. Chlamydia, H-pylori, and toxoplasmosis can cause retinal diseases, which currently have no known cause.
Phan L, et al. 2008. Longitudinal Study of New Eye Lesions in Children with Toxoplasmosis Who Were Not Treated During the First Year of Life. Am J Ophthalmol. Sep 2008. 146(3):375-384. Doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2008.04.033.
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