Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease that primarily involves joints. Other manifestations of the disease are also observed, including ophthalmic involvement. This article gives an overview of common eye disorders seen in rheumatoid arthritis patients. The clinical course of the ocular diseases in RA patients may be quite variable.
Early diagnosis of ophthalmic diseases in RA patients allows timely and efficient management of serious complications. Sjogren's and sicca syndrome : The classic symptoms of this syndrome are mucosal dryness (dry eyes and dry mouth are termed keratoconjunctivitis sicca and xerostomia, respectively), positive (minor salivary gland) biopsy and serologic evidence of autoantibodies. Keratoconjunctivitis, a manifestation of lacrimal gland pathology, is the most common ophthalmic manifestation of RA. Symptomatic signs of this disease…
