Eye damage caused by rheumatoid arthritis

Generally, rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease primarily characterized by joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and functional impairment. Its damage to the eyes mainly manifests as dry eye syndrome, scleritis, keratitis, etc. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Dry Eye Syndrome

Rheumatoid arthritis patients may experience symptoms such as dryness, eye pain, and blurred vision. This occurs because rheumatoid arthritis can lead to reduced tear secretion or decreased tear quality. Under medical guidance, immunosuppressants are commonly used, along with artificial tear eye drops.

2. Scleritis

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis may develop symptoms including scleral congestion, pain, and decreased vision, due to inflammation of the sclera caused by the disease. Treatment may include corticosteroid eye drops as prescribed, or oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as sustained-release tablets or capsules.

3. Keratitis

Rheumatoid arthritis patients may suffer from corneal pain and vision loss due to corneal inflammation. Management of rheumatoid arthritis often involves physical therapy, fumigation and washing, acupuncture, and other methods. For keratitis, topical treatments such as levofloxacin eye drops or ganciclovir eye drops may be used according to medical advice.

In addition, rheumatoid arthritis may also cause unequal vision between the two eyes, resulting from eyeball displacement or oculomotor muscle paralysis. Regular eye examinations are essential for rheumatoid arthritis patients to promptly detect and treat ocular complications. Meanwhile, maintaining healthy lifestyle habits and effectively managing rheumatoid arthritis are crucial measures in preventing eye damage.