The Arthritis and Eye Connection | Arthritis Awareness Month

​Arthritis involves an inflammatory condition of the joints and connective tissues. Depending on the form, various other symptoms may also develop. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are about 100 different forms of arthritis.

Although the condition primarily affects the joints, it is also associated with an increased risk of certain eye problems. Continue reading below to learn more about arthritis and how it can affect your eyes. 
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Types of Arthritis 

Although there are many different types of arthritis, certain forms tend to be the most common, including the following:

Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis involves the breakdown of the cartilage that protects the joints. It occurs slowly over time and may occur in one or more joints. Osteoarthritis does not lead to eye problems.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): Rheumatoid arthritis occurs due to an autoimmune disease, which causes the immune system to overreact and attack the lining of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is also linked to other conditions, including eye problems.  

Psoriatic arthritis: This form of arthritis is also an autoimmune disease associated with psoriasis, which affects the skin.

Gout: Gout develops due to too much uric acid buildup in the body. It is more common in men. It usually affects one joint at a time. Most commonly, the big toes are affected. 
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Eye conditions possibly associated with arthritis 

Certain forms of arthritis are associated with an increased risk of developing eye conditions. While osteoarthritis is not linked to eye diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis are. Below are eye problems that are associated with arthritis.

Dry eyes: The most common eye issue linked to rheumatoid arthritis is dry eyes. Dry eyes develop when insufficient tears are produced. Women tend to develop the condition more often than men for unknown reasons. 

Research published in the Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology studied 196 people with RA and found 28 percent had dry eye syndrome.

Symptoms of dry eyes include: 

• A gritty feeling in the eye 
• Blurred vision
• Redness

Inflammation of the uvea: Inflammation of the uvea is called uveitis. The uvea is the pigmented layer of the eye, between the sclera and the cornea. Psoriatic and juvenile arthritis may contribute to the inflammation.

Symptoms include:

• Redness
• Sensitivity to light
• Eye pain
• Blurred vision

Cataracts: Cataracts involve a clouding of the lens, which makes vision blurry. Cataracts often develop in the general population as we age. But according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, using steroids to treat conditions, such as arthritis, increases a person’s risk of developing cataracts. 

Symptoms include:

• Poor night vision
• Blurred vision 

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Taking care of your eyes if you have arthritis 

If you have any form of arthritis, it’s important to take extra precautions to prevent eye problems. There are several things you can do to decrease your risk of eye complications or treat problems before they become worse. Consider the following suggestions:

Get regular eye exams: One of the best ways to maintain healthy vision is to get regular eye exams. If you have arthritis, especially if you are taking steroids, ask your doctor how often you should have an eye exam. In some cases, a comprehensive eye exam can diagnose problems before symptoms become apparent.

Manage arthritis: Work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan that controls inflammation from arthritis. Decreasing inflammation in the body may reduce certain eye conditions, such as uveitis.

Use eye drops: Lubricating eye drops are helpful to reduce symptoms of dry eyes. Talk with your doctor about what types of drops are best suited for your situation and how often you should use them.

Use a humidifier: If you have dry eyes, using a humidifier may also be useful to add moisturize to the air.  Be sure to clean the humidifier daily and change out the water to prevent bacteria from developing.

If you have questions about maintaining healthy eyes with arthritis, or would like to discuss whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, please call us at 508-746-8600.
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