Eye disease from RA

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease predominantly affecting joints even though it may also be a cause of damage to other organs in the body. The condition is characterized by inflammation of joints accompanied by pain, swelling and stiffness, inflammation of other organs/organ systems in the body and permanent damage to all the affected tissues.

Rheumatoid Arthritis - the Mechanism of Damage

Since this is an autoimmune disease, the body produces autoantibodies which destroy the cells of the affected individual. Normally, antibodies the body produces fight against infectious agents or any kind as well as foreign objects introduced to the body. In rheumatoid arthritis, however, the body does not recognizes its own cells and starts to attack them, causing damage to different tissues.

As a result of the action of autoantibodies and damage to the affected tissues there is evident loss of function of the affected organs. Joints become stiff and less movable and there is also damage to the function of other affected organs such as the skin, eyes, nervous system, heart, lungs and blood.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Damage to the Eyes

Not all patients will suffer from some damage to the eye due to rheumatoid arthritis. This complications of the disease develops in certain number of patients and may be in different forms.

First of all, patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis may also suffer from dry eyes. This complications is usually a consequence of Sjogren's syndrome, another medical condition commonly associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Uveitis is another eye complications of rheumatoid arthritis. This is inflammation of the uvea, the pigmented middle layer of the eye associated with blurred vision, red eye, pain and photophobia.

Episcleritis and scleritis are two more eye conditions affecting people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Episcleritis (inflammation of tissues lying between the conjunctiva and sclera) and scleritis (inflammation of the sclera) are both accompanied by eye discomfort or even severe pain and tenderness along with redness of the affected eye.

Finally, there are two more eye condition that may occur due to the presence of rheumatoid arthritis, glaucoma and cataract. Glaucoma is known to affect the eye's drainage system and may, if left untreated, eventually cause vision loss. Cataract, on the other hand affect the lens of the eye, causing its clouding and subsequent blurred vision.

Because of all the mentioned patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis are due to have regular eye exams and to report any eye problem immediately in order to receive proper treatment on time.