Contents:
- Medical Video: Decreased vision after conjunctivitis, pink eye inflammation - A State of Sight #121
- Complications of inflammation of the joints in the eye
- 1. Dry eyes
- 2. Scleritis
- 3. Conjunctivitis
- 4. Glaucoma
- 5. Uveitis
- 6. Cataracts
Medical Video: Decreased vision after conjunctivitis, pink eye inflammation - A State of Sight #121
One common complication in people who have arthritis (arthritis) is an eye problem, which can cause damage to the cornea and will ultimately disrupt your vision if not treated immediately. See the complications of arthritis in the full eye in this article.
Complications of inflammation of the joints in the eye
Arthritis is a chronic joint inflammation that can affect all parts of the body, including the eyes. The following are some of the complications of arthritis in the eye that you should be aware of.
1. Dry eyes
Dry eye is the most common complication of arthritis in the eye. In fact, the Arthritis Foundation reports that women who have arthritis are nine times more susceptible to arthritis due to arthritis than men.
In some cases, dry eyes can also be a symptom of Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that is often associated with rheumatic disease. Sjogren's syndrome results from the body's immune system attacking the lacrimal gland that produces tears. As a result, your eyes become dry, itchy and feel like sand.
If not treated immediately, dry eyes can increase the risk of serious injury and infection because the tear glands cannot moisturize and protect your eyes as a whole. Using artificial tears or eye drops can relieve your dry eyes. However, consult your doctor first so that you can get prescription eye drops that suit your needs.
2. Scleritis
Scleritis is inflammation that occurs in the white membrane (sclera). Usually people who have scleritis experience redness, pain, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, and a sensation of heat in the eyes. Someone who has rheumatic disease has a high risk of developing scleritis.
In many cases, scleritis is a sign that inflammation is out of control so you should immediately treat your arthritis to relieve symptoms. However, if you experience red eyes with intense pain, you should immediately take an eye doctor.
3. Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis is an infection of the conjunctiva, a transparent membrane between the petals and sclera (the white part of the eye) which causes swelling, red eyes, and pain. Conjunctivitis is one of the reactive symptoms of arthritis. Even according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, about 50 percent (half) of all people who have reactive arthritis experience conjunctivitis.
Even though eye pain is very uncomfortable and unsightly, this condition rarely affects your visual acuity. This conjunctivitis is a contagious infection, so you should get treatment as soon as possible to avoid transmission to others.
4. Glaucoma
Complications of arthritis can also cause glaucoma, which is an eye condition caused by damage to your optic nerve. This condition will make a person experience visual impairment, even blindness.
Inflammation caused by arthritis can increase the pressure in your eyeball which causes nerve damage. Now, when the nerves of the eye are damaged, the signal is responsible for continuing what you see to the brain is disrupted. Slowly, this causes loss of vision.
In many cases, glaucoma does not produce significant symptoms. Well, that's why it's important for those of you who really have arthritis to do your eye checks regularly.
5. Uveitis
Uveitis is an inflammatory disease that causes swelling and damage to eye tissue. This condition includes inflammation of the middle layer of the eye called the uveal or uvea duct. The uvea includes the colored part of the eye (iris), a thin membrane that contains many blood vessels (choroid), and a ciliary body (the part of the eye that connects everything).
This disease greatly affects your outlook, reduces vision, and can cause severe visual loss if you don't get immediate medical attention. People who have psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis are more at risk of developing uveitis.
6. Cataracts
Cataracts are the occurrence of turbidity in the lens of the eye which usually occurs in the elderly. However, people who have rheumatic diseases will make cataracts at any age. Cataract itself is an eye condition in which the usually clear eye lens looks cloudy or opaque so it will obscure vision.
