Understanding Ocular Manifestations of Autoimmune Diseases: Protect Your Eye Health
The immune system can wrongly attack healthy tissues, causing inflammation, damage, and symptoms in different organs, including the eyes. Understanding this connection between autoimmune diseases and eye health is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment. If left untreated, these conditions can lead to vision impairment or even blindness.
In this blog post, we will explore the relationship between autoimmune diseases and eye health and what you can do when signs start appearing.
Autoimmune Diseases and Eye Health
Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system attacks healthy cells, mistaking them for foreign invaders. This defective action can affect virtually any body part, including the eyes.
Autoimmune inflammation can affect how eye tissues work. This can cause problems like dryness, pain, and vision issues. Inflammation caused by these diseases can affect the cornea, sclera, retina, and other structures, potentially leading to severe ocular complications.
Examples of Ocular Manifestations of Autoimmune Diseases
Various autoimmune diseases can have different impacts on eye health. Here are a few examples of how these conditions may manifest in the eyes:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Rheumatoid arthritis is well-known for causing joint inflammation, but it’s also associated with uveitis, an inflammation of the uvea (the middle layer of the eye).
- Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus): Lupus can affect multiple organs in the body, including the eyes. People with lupus may experience eye inflammation, retinal vasculitis, dryness, or even retinal damage.
- Sjögren’s Syndrome: Sjögren’s syndrome primarily affects the glands that produce moisture, resulting in dry eyes and mouth. People with Sjögren’s often suffer from severe dry eye syndrome, which causes discomfort, redness, and an increased risk of infection.
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Multiple sclerosis, a disease of the central nervous system, can lead to optic neuritis — an inflammation of the optic nerve that causes blurred vision, pain, and sometimes blindness.
- Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis: While psoriasis is primarily known for affecting the skin, it can also impact eye health. Psoriasis patients are at increased risk for uveitis and conjunctivitis (pink eye).
Diagnosing Autoimmune Diseases With an Eye Exam
A comprehensive eye exam can often reveal the first signs of autoimmune diseases. The eyes show a lot about the body’s health. Changes in how the eyes look or work can indicate autoimmune problems.
- Slit Lamp Examination: This magnified view allows doctors to examine the front parts of the eye, including the cornea and lens.
- Fundus Photography: A detailed photo of the retina can reveal abnormalities in the blood vessels or tissue that may be linked to autoimmune diseases like lupus.
- Tear Film Evaluation: This can help assess the severity of dry eyes, a common symptom of autoimmune conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): This non-invasive imaging technique helps visualize the layers of the retina to identify inflammation or structural damage caused by autoimmune conditions.
People with autoimmune diseases should visit an eye doctor regularly. This helps check for eye problems early. Managing these issues early can prevent them from getting worse.
Prevention and Correction
You can’t completely prevent autoimmune diseases, but healthy choices and treatments can help manage eye symptoms.
- Regular Eye Exams: Frequent check-ups with an optometrist are essential for early detection and management of eye-related complications.
- Medications: Anti-inflammatory drugs or immunosuppressive medications may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and prevent further eye damage.
- Artificial Tears and Lubricating Drops: For patients experiencing dry eyes, lubricating eye drops or gels can help alleviate discomfort and prevent corneal damage. Special prescription eye drops may also be recommended in more severe cases.
- Protective Eyewear: Sunglasses or moisture goggles can help shield the eyes from further irritation and protect against environmental triggers like wind and dust.
Notice Anything Different With Your Eyes? Talk to Our Eye Doctor
If you have an autoimmune disease, pay attention to your vision. If you notice any changes or feel discomfort in your eyes, seek medical help immediately.
Eye Wares is here to help you manage your eye health and prevent serious complications from arising. Our experienced optometrists are skilled in detecting and treating ocular manifestations of autoimmune diseases.
If you are searching online for “eye doctors near me,” stop looking. Contact Eye Wares today to schedule a comprehensive eye exam.
