Arthritis is one of the predominant knee conditions people are getting affected with according to the report of 2019, 365 million people are affected with arthritis. This condition is associated with joint pain, arthritis composed of more than 100 types of joint disorders. There is a myth that arthritis affects only joints but the fact is more to that it also brings systemic effects and has various impacts on organs and tissues including the eyes. Ocular inflammation or uveitis is one of such complications. When you have a proper understanding of this you could take preventive steps or further treatments to avoid your vision getting affected because of arthritis.
Types of arthritis linked to ocular inflammation
Some types of arthritis have a connection with ocular inflammation, if you have arthritis it is vital to get to know and read further,
Rheumatoid Arthritis
This type of arthritis which starts with joint disorders slowly affects the eyes by causing inflammation. Dry eye syndrome and episcleritis which affects the outermost part of the eye are the two particular problems that arise in patients who are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. According to the study females with rheumatoid arthritis have a higher chance of getting dry eyes than males in that case getting a proper eye examination becomes vital.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
This is another type of arthritis which mainly affects the spine and sacroiliac joints. People with ankylosing spondylitis may get uveitis where a middle layer of the eye will be affected and the probability of uveitis in AS patients is about 40%.
Psoriatic arthritis
People with psoriasis are prone to experience uveitis and other eye complications such as keratitis and conjunctivitis. Through the proper check-ups, it could be avoided, and able to secure your vision.
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Kids with this kind of arthritis should be monitored properly to avoid their impact on eye health. However, they are prone to getting uveitis through routine eye examinations and serious eye complications can be prevented to secure their future vision.
Mechanisms linking arthritis and ocular inflammation
The main reason behind the connection between arthritis and ocular inflammation includes immune system dysregulation and genetic disorders to know more read further,
Autoimmune reactions
There are many forms of arthritis among them specifically rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis are autoimmune diseases. In this condition, one’s immune system starts attacking the self-cells and tissues. These autoimmune diseases may extend up to your eyes and cause ocular inflammation.
Genetic factors
Certain genetic markers increase the risk of getting ankylosing spondylitis and uveitis. A person who carries such genetic markers is prone to develop ocular inflammation along with their arthritis.
Symptoms
If the patients with arthritis experience the below symptoms it may be a sign of ocular inflammation, the common symptoms include;
- Redness of the eye
- Pain or discomfort in the eye
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Blurred vision
- Decreased vision
Diagnosis
Regular eye examination helps in diagnosing ocular inflammation in patients with arthritis. It is always good to treat the condition in its early diagnosis which could preserve your vision before it causes difficulty or discomfort. The diagnostic procedures may include a vision acuity test, slim lamp examination, and imaging test. These procedures will help in knowing the intensity of inflammation and also make a treatment plan accordingly.
Schedule your appointment
Through a proper understanding of the connection between arthritis and ocular inflammation, you may act wisely and take care of your eye health before arthritis shows its impact on the eyes. Early diagnosis and regular management could help you in handling both arthritis and your eye health. Book your appointment with The Eye Foundation; they assist you in examining and identifying whether the arthritis has an influence over your eyes and make a precise plan for managing them.
