RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS CAN MAKE YOU BLIND; HOW TO GET TREATED
New Delhi: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease in which your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body, causing inflammation and immense pain in the affected body parts. Even though the condition only causes problems and immobility issues in the joints, it seriously affects other organs like the lungs, heart, and eyes.
According to experts, some parts like the white of the eye, or sclera, and the clear structure at the front of the eye, or cornea, get massively affected, leading to permanent vision loss.
Tissue damage can also cause chronic pain, unsteadiness, and eye deformity.
Sign and symptoms Related News |
According to studies, one in five people with rheumatoid arthritis have problems with their eyes. They may also have the following symptoms in their eyes:- Constant dryness
- Grittiness
- Irritation
- Redness
- Pain
- Light sensitivity
- Blurred vision
Common eye conditions
A few common eye conditions battled by those affected with rheumatoid arthritis include:Dry eye syndrome Related News |
Dry eyes are one of the most common problems faced by those suffering from arthritis. A person with dry eyes experiences itching, a sand-like sensation in the eyes, and redness, apart from noticing a lack of moisture or tears in the eyes, as well as blurry vision.Although many people turn to over-the-counter eye drops for relief, the best treatment, according to experts, is prescription drops, which you can get from an opthalmologist.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, if your dry eyes are severe, your doctor might discuss the option of punctal plugs, a minor procedure in which a small plug is inserted into the tear duct to keep the eye from draining.
Scleritis
It is an inflammation of the sclera, the white outer layer of the eye which causes immense pain, swelling, redness, blurred vision, and tearing.Doctors use oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids to treat this problem, which is usually common in people between 40-70 years.
Iritis and Uveitis
Iritis and uveitis are two painful conditions that people suffering from arthritis undergo when the uvea, the middle part of the eye between the sclera and retina, and the iris, the colored part of the eye, get inflamed.Experts say this inflammation leads to blurred vision, the sudden appearance of floaters or spots, severe eye pain, redness, and extreme sensitivity to light.
According to Creakyjoints, treatment for both conditions depends on their symptoms, which include steroid eye drops, or injected or oral steroids.
Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.
2023-10-10T09:46:38Z dg43tfdfdgfd