Blurry vision from rheumatoid arthritis
One of the most feared is scleritis. Scleritis, a chronic inflammation of the blood vessels in the whites of the eyes, occurs in about 1 percent of people with RA. Symptoms include eye pain and redness. If it goes untreated, scleritis may become severe, leading to a deterioration of the cornea. Scleritis may occur as: • Anterior uveitis
People with RA are also at increased risk for Sjögren's syndrome, classified in this case, as secondary Sjögren's syndrome. (see below) Dry Eyes are a key symptom of Sjögren's syndrome, a chronic condition that occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks moisture-producing glands, including the tear glands. Symptoms include a burning, gritty feeling. If not alleviated, dryness can lead to eye infections or even damage to the cornea. Antimalarial medications have been found to reduce pain and inflammation in some people who have rheumatoid arthritis. They are normally used in the prevention and treatment of malaria. Antimalarials are used either alone or in combination with other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). They are used alone in milder cases or in combination for more severe rheumatoid arthritis. A review of studies of rheumatoid arthritis medications found antimalarials are effective in reducing swelling and pain in joints. Most people experience no major side effects from antimalarial drugs. The most serious side effect, which is rare, is damage to the eye that may cause irreversible vision damage. Antimalarial medications may cause blurred vision and difficulty focusing. Although this is very uncommon, you should avoid driving and should contact your rheumatologist if these symptoms occur. Antimalarials usually take from 3 to 6 months to work. They are safer than other DMARDs but also may be less effective if used alone or for more serious cases of rheumatoid arthritis. This treatment is generally well-tolerated and requires no routine laboratory monitoring, although an initial eye exam is required. If you are also taking hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), you may be taught to perform monthly testing of your vision or you may be scheduled to return every 6 to 12 months to the ophthalmologist.
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