Advertisement

Can rheumatoid arthritis affect the eyes?

By LanaPA Latest Activity December 31, 2011 at 4:47 pm Views 318 Replies 3 Likes 2

Lana

Rheumatoid arthritis is primarily a joint disease. However, RA occasionally affects other parts of the including the eyes. Eye conditions associated with RA include:

(1) Dry eyes – you can use preservative free artificial eye drops to ease the discomfort of dry eyes. It is also possible that this could be a symptom of Sjogren’s, an autoimmune disease associated with RA. If you suspect this may be the case, follow up with your doctor.
(2) Uveitis – inflammation of the interior part of the eye. Symptoms of uveitis include redness and pain, light sensitivity and blurred vision.
(3) Episcleritis – inflammation of the white part of the eye. Symptoms include sudden eye discomfort and/or redness.
(4) Glaucoma – inflammation of the eye’s drainage system leads to glaucoma, a condition that can result in blindness. Signs and symptoms include gradual vision loss, eye pain or blurred vision.
(5) Cataracts – clouding of the lens of the eye as a result of inflammation within the eye and long term use of corticosteroid medications often prescribed to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Symptoms include blurred, cloudy or dim vision.

If have RA and experience eye pain, vision changes or other eye problems, consult an ophthalmologist for evaluation. Also, let your rheumatologist know. Early treatment can prevent vision consequences.

Have you had eye problems as a result of RA? What treatments has your doctor recommended?

  • Report Report as inappropriate
  • Share
    Email Email
    Print Print Twitter Twitter
    Facebook Facebook

Advertisement

Replies (3 replies)

Add your reply Reply Down
  • bpchera
    bpchera August 31 at 11:48 pm   
    I like this Report as inappropriate

    I went to the eye doctor to finally get checked out because of being on Plaquenil and mentioned to him that my eye kept opening really slowly and it had been getting more frequent over the past two weeks. His response was something like "oh yeah, that's typical, just Rheumatoid, Sjogren's, and all those Here's some eye drops and some gel for the night if you need it." Ummmmm… is that the eye doctors way of diagnosing me with Sjogrens or is that the job of my Rheumie? the dryness is getting worse. It was just the left eye and now both eyes are playing up. The Rheumie always asks if i have dry mouth or dry eyes and i always said no because I take psych meds that can dry out your mouth and I thought the itchy eyes were just allergies. :-/

    Help!

    Reply reply
  • Lana
    LanaPA September 4 at 9:12 am   
    I like this Report as inappropriate

    Despite the issues with my eyes, I have not been diagnosed with Sjogren’s either. I have talked to my rheumatologist about the eye dryness and she told me that in the majority of cases, Sjogren’s patients show a significant concentration of the rheumatoid factor in their blood work. That is why I have not been diagnosed. RA does cause severe dryness in the eyes and I have dealt with this as well. I have noticed that if my RA is calm, so are my eyes. The fact is that RA is a big lifestyle adjustment. There is more to living with RA than taking pills. It affects your whole body and you have learn to take care of your whole body as a result.

    Reply reply
  • Choctaw56
    Choctaw56 January 2, 2012 at 10:18 pm   
    I like this Report as inappropriate

    My eyes are affected by RS. I have dry eyes, blurry vision, and I di use Systane eyedrops as recommended by my eye doc, but getting worse, so going back this month for re-check.. With RA attacking so much of our bodies, we must be aware, take notice of changes, and act fast to keep one step ahead of it. Hugs to all

    Reply reply