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% Does arthritis affect the eyes? What you need to know Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe
How does arthritis affect the eyes Medically reviewed by Grace Zhang, MD — By Tom Seymour on June 8, 2022The hallmark of arthritis is inflammation of the joints, but the condition can also affect other parts of the body, including the eyes.
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About 1 in 4 adults in the United States have a diagnosis of some form of arthritis. The condition can affect people of any age or sex and seriously affect their quality of life.
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There are more than 100 types of arthritis, and they all involve inflammation. Some types, including rheumatoid arthritis, can affect the eyes. Most people who experience arthritis-related eye problems are female.
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When eye problems occur, they usually affect both eyes. These eye problems tend to worsen as arthritis progresses. Eye problems linked with arthritis
Share on PinterestKohei Hara/Getty ImagesSeveral eye conditions can occur with different forms of arthritis.
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Keratitis sicca
Keratitis sicca, commonly known as dry eye syndrome, is when the eyes stop producing enough tears to keep them moist. It affects females more commonly than males.
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Risk factors rheumatoid arthritisSjögren’s diseaseother autoimmune diseases
Symptoms drynessa sensation of something in the eyeblurred vision
Treatment controlling arthritic inflammation with arthritis medicationapplying a topical ointment before going to bedusing artificial tears or eye drops to keep the eyes moisttrying a humidifier at night in the bedroomusing punctal plugs, which are devices that prevent the tear ducts from drainingasking a doctor about prescription dry eye medication, such as lifitegrast (Xiidra) or cyclosporine (Restasis)
Learn about some of the best humidifiers available to purchase. Scleritis
Scleritis is inflammation of the sclera, which is the white part of the eye. It can lead to the sclera or the cornea becoming too thin, and people might experience reduced vision, cataracts, and other complications.
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Scleritis can be a sign that a person’s inflammation levels are high. They may need to adjust their arthritis treatment.
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Risk factors rheumatoid arthritis inflammationrelapsing polychondritis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis, formerly known as Wegener’s granulomatosisconditions that affect the blood vessels throughout the bodyother autoimmune diseases
Symptoms redness that does not go away despite the use of over-the-counter eye dropssevere painsensitivity to lightreduced vision
Treatment oral corticosteroidsnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)other oral or intravenous medications to reduce inflammation
Learn about the possible causes of a swollen eyeball. Uveitis
Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea, the vascular area of the eye between the retina and the sclera.
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Without treatment, it can lead to vision loss. Often the cause is unclear, but there seems to be a link with systemic inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis. Risk factors juvenile idiopathic arthritisankylosing spondylitispsoriatic arthritisreactive arthritisBehçet’s diseaseinfectionstrauma
Symptoms painrednessblurred visionsensitivity to lightrisk of permanent vision loss, particularly in children
Treatment corticosteroid eye dropsoral corticosteroid or corticosteroid injection into the eyeantibiotics, if an infection occurs
Learn more about uveitis and other eye infections.
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Cataracts
Cataracts occur when inflammation of the eyeball causes the lens to cloud over. The lens in an unaffected eye is usually clear. The condition can lead to vision loss, but surgery is often effective in preventing this outcome.
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Risk factors rheumatoid arthritisankylosing spondylitispsoriatic arthritistype 2 diabetesrepeated episodes of uveitisolder agea family history of cataracts
Symptoms cloudy or blurred visionpoor vision at nightcolors appearing faded
Treatment specific glasses to improve eyesightsurgery to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial one
Eyedrops are also under investigation, but research has not yet confirmed that they work. Learn whether Medicare covers cataract surgery.
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Glaucoma
Glaucoma involves damage to the optic nerve because of high pressure inside the eye. If the channels that usually drain fluid from the eye become inflamed, pressure can build up. Without treatment, glaucoma can lead to vision loss.
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However, treatment can slow its progression. Risk factors ankylosing spondylitisjuvenile idiopathic arthritisother types of inflammatory arthritisside effects of corticosteroid therapy for arthritis
Symptoms
There are typically no symptoms in the early stages. Later on, a person may experience:painblurred visionblank spots in the visionseeing a rainbow-colored halo around lights
Treatment eye dropssurgery to lower pressurereducing or avoiding corticosteroid use
Learn about the difference between macular degeneration and glaucoma.
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Retinal vascular occlusion
If the blood vessels leading to the retina become blocked, this can cause retinal vascular occlusion. Depending on the affected vessel, this can be either retinal artery occlusion or retinal vein occlusion.
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The blocked vessels can no longer deliver blood — and therefore oxygen — to the eyes. As a result, damage can occur.
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Risk factors lupussclerodermaBehçet’s diseasesarcoidosispolyarteritis nodosa
Symptoms a blind spot in a person’s visionvision loss that comes and goes suddenlygradual vision loss
Treatment
In some cases, when a vein becomes blocked, no treatment is necessary. The blockage will resolve in time. If an artery becomes blocked, a doctor may attempt to lower the pressure in the eye by removing the blockage.
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However, there is no proven effective treatment. This condition can lead to vision loss. Conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis refers to the inflammation of the lining of the eyelids and the white of the eyes, which can result from infection.
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It usually lasts 1–2 weeks but can sometimes be chronic and persist for a longer duration. Conjunctivitis is a symptom of reactive arthritis. Risk factors include reactive arthritisinflammation due to a bacterial or viral infectionallergic reactions
Symptoms red eye or inner lidincrease in tearsyellow discharge that crusts around the eyeitchy or burning eyes
Treatment antibiotics, if a bacterial infection is presentsteroids to help reduce inflammationcold compressesartificial tears
Learn about home remedies for red eyes.
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Types of arthritis
Although there are about 100 different types of arthritis and related diseases, not all of them are linked to eye conditions. The common types of arthritis include:
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, leading to pain and inflammation.
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Rheumatoid arthritis attacks the lining of the joints. Over time, the resulting inflammation damages the joints permanently and causes severe pain.
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Learn how rheumatoid arthritis affects the eyes. Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a “wear-and-tear” disease that occurs when the protective cartilage between the joints breaks down, making movement more difficult and painful. This type of arthritis does not usually increase a person’s risk of eye conditions.
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Learn about some natural treatments for osteoarthritis. Fibromyalgia
People with fibromyalgia experience pain differently than other people and may be more sensitive to pain. A person may have widespread pain, which can be constant or intermittent.
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They may also experience fatigue, problems with sleeping and concentrating, and anxiety. Gout
Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis that occurs when the body produces excess uric acid, which forms crystals in the joints. The crystals cause pain and inflammation and often affect the big toe, although people can have symptoms in other joints.
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Learn about some home remedies for gout. Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that is common among people with psoriasis.
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It causes inflammation, pain, and swelling in the joints and can also affect the skin, nails, and eyes. Learn how psoriatic arthritis affects the eyes. Ankylosing spondylitis
A person with ankylosing spondylitis will have inflammation in the joints and ligaments of the spine.
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Over time, the vertebrae may fuse. Scientists believe that the condition results from both genetic and environmental factors.
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Learn how ankylosing spondylitis affects eye health. When to contact a doctor
If a person with arthritis is experiencing any changes in their vision or has concerns about their eyes, they should consult an eye doctor.Anyone using the drug hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) for rheumatoid disease will need regular eye checks to ensure that the medication is not affecting the health of their macula, which is the center of the retina.
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Summary
Early diagnosis and treatment can often help prevent further damage to the eyes and reduce the likelihood of vision loss. There are different types of arthritis, which primarily affect the joints. However, a person may also develop eye problems, especially with rheumatoid arthritis.
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Possible problems include dry eye syndrome, scleritis, uveitis, glaucoma, retinal vascular occlusion, and conjunctivitis. Anyone with arthritis who notices eye problems should seek medical advice. In some cases, early treatment can help prevent complications and possible vision loss.
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Last medically reviewed on June 8, 2022Rheumatoid ArthritisRheumatologyEye Health / BlindnessMedically reviewed by Grace Zhang, MD — By Tom Seymour on June 8, 2022
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New clues arise
Related CoverageHow does psoriatic arthritis affect the eyes?Medically reviewed by Brenda B. Spriggs, M.D., MPH, FACP
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory condition that increases the risk of several eye conditions.
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Learn how PsA affects the eyes and how to…READ MOREHow can psoriatic arthritis affect the feet?Medically reviewed by Nancy Carteron, M.D., FACR
Psoriatic arthritis can have many effects on the body. This article looks at how the condition can affect the feet, including symptoms and treatments.READ MOREHow does psoriatic arthritis affect the body?Medically reviewed by Nancy Carteron, M.D., FACR
Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune condition.
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It affects the joints but can cause wide-ranging symptoms and complications. Learn more here.
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READ MOREHow does RA affect different parts of the body?Medically reviewed by Nancy Carteron, M.D., FACR
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Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can affect collagen in the eyes as well as the joints.
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