Cogan's syndrome
Cogan's syndrome refers to a particular combination of ophthalmic and other conditions affecting a person. It is a rare disorder in which
are associated with
- tinnitus,
- vertigo and
- bilateral sensorineural deafness.
One recent theory is that Cogan's syndrome is an autoimmune disease.
This idea explains the inflammation in the eye and ear as due to the patient's own immune system producing antibodies that attack the inner ear and eye tissue. However, there have also been suggestions that Cogan's syndrome may be initiated by a bacterial infection (specifically chlamydia pneumoniae) - though Cogan's syndrome does not result from all infections with this bacteria, and fortunately remains a rare condition.
Cogan's syndrome is named after the American Ophthalmologist, David Glendenning Cogan (1908 - 1993).
More about Ophthalmology:
This section includes short definitions
of many diseases, disorders, and conditions of the eyes and visual system.
For definitions of other terms in this category, choose from the list
to the left (but note that this is not a complete/exhaustive list).
Other related pages include
- A diagram of the eye
- Definitions and descriptions of the parts of the eye
- A concise description of the human retina
- Definitions of parts of the retina
- Clinical and surgical procedures re. eyes and human visual system
For further information see also our pages of books about ophthalmology.
The following books may also be of interest:
