How Lupus Affects Your Eyes | Lupus Awareness Month

---

​Autoimmune disorders affect about 23 million people in the United States according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. There are more than 80 different types of autoimmune disorders. One of the most common is lupus.
 
Lupus commonly affects not only organs and joints, but also vision. May is Lupus Awareness Month, a good time to bring more attention to this disorder and its affects. 
​

What is Lupus

Lupus is a type of chronic autoimmune disorder that can cause damage to organs and various body parts and systems, including the eyes. An autoimmune disorder is a disease that occurs when the immune system attacks cells in the body as if they are dangerous.
 
Normally, when a virus or other pathogen enters the body, the immune system kicks in and tries to fight it. Specialized cells fight these germs to protect the body. For unknown reasons, sometimes something goes wrong in the immune system and antibodies are released that attack healthy cells by mistake. The antibodies can damage the normal cells, which is what happens in lupus.
 
Although anyone can get lupus, it tends to be much more common in women. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 90 percent of people that get lupus are women between the ages of 15 to 44. The cause of lupus is still not fully understood, but the fact that it occurs most often in women of childbearing age suggests a hormonal link.
 
Lupus can lead to a large variety of symptoms since it can affect several different organs. The most frequent symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Joint pain
• A butterfly-shaped rash across the cheeks
• Mouth ulcers
• Sun sensitivity
• Headaches 

​

How Lupus & Other Autoimmune Diseases Affect Vision

​Lupus can affect the eyes and vision in several ways. Some of the more common effects include the following:

• Dry eyes: According to the Lupus Foundation of America, about 20 percent of people that have lupus also develop secondary Sjogren’s syndrome, which affects the tear glands. The glands do not produce enough tears, resulting in dry eyes. Symptoms include irritation, a gritty feeling, and burning in the eyes.
• Scleritis: Although it occurs less commonly than dry eyes, scleritis can also develop in people that have lupus. The condition involves inflammation in the outer layer of the eye called the sclera. Symptoms include pain and redness in the eye. 
• Medication side effects: Some medications to treat lupus, such as Plaquenil, may lead to damage of the retina as a side effect, which can cause vision problems.
• Retinal vasculitis: This eye complication occurs when the blood supply to the retina is limited. To compensate for the lack of blood flow, the retina develops new blood vessels. The new vessels are weak and do not work efficiently. Symptoms may include floaters and dark spots in the eyes.
• Lupus optic neuropathy: Lupus optic neuropathy is a complication and involves progressive vision loss. 

 
There are also many other types of autoimmune disorders besides lupus that can lead to eye problems. For example, multiple sclerosis can also affect vision, even leading to vision loss. Different autoimmune disorders may affect vision differently, which is why it’s vital to see an eye doctor.

Treatment & Preventing Eye Complications

One of the most important things to do to prevent vision issues if you have lupus or any autoimmune disease is to see an eye doctor regularly. Frequent monitoring by an eye doctor will allow your eye doctor to detect and monitor any early warning signs of eye problems or eye-related side effects associated with your medications. Talk to your doctor about how often you should have an eye exam, and follow the schedule he or she establishes for you.
 
Treatment for eye-related complications due to lupus depends on the symptoms and damage to the eye. For example, dry eyes are often treated with lubricating eye drops. In other instances, anti-inflammatory eye drops may be prescribed to reduce symptoms. Treatment for retinal vasculitis can include anticoagulant medication, which helps to prevent the blood from clotting in the eye.
 
Systemic medications to treat lupus may also help control the condition and reduce the effects on the eyes. A few different classifications of drugs are used, including steroids that decrease inflammation in the body, as well as medications that suppress the immune system.
 
Working with your care team and eye doctor is essential to control lupus symptoms and decrease your risk of eye problems. We are happy to answer any questions you may have, or if you would like to schedule an appointment with our eye doctors, please call our office at 508-746-8600.