What You Need to Know About Inflammatory Arthritis and Eye Health
A lot of people know that juvenile arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis hurt the joints and spine. Not many people know that these conditions can also hurt the eyes. Research indicates that individuals afflicted with these inflammatory diseases possess an elevated risk of experiencing eye inflammation, particularly a condition known as uveitis.
Uveitis is when the inside of the eye gets inflamed. It can make your eyes hurt, turn red, make your vision blurry, make you sensitive to light, and give you headaches. It can sometimes come on suddenly and only affect one eye at a time. If not treated quickly, eye inflammation can cause big problems, like losing your vision forever.
What inflammatory arthritis can do to your eyes
Juvenile arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis are both autoimmune diseases. This means that the immune system attacks its own tissues by mistake. The inflammation can spread to other parts of the body, like the eyes, even though the joints are the main target. Uveitis is caused by the immune system making the eye swell and hurt.
People with ankylosing spondylitis are more likely to get it, and many of them have had eye inflammation at least once in their lives. It’s very important to check your child’s eyes often because kids with juvenile arthritis don’t always complain about eye pain.
Taking Care of Your Eyes
If you have ankylosing spondylitis or juvenile arthritis, you need to get your eyes checked regularly, even if they look fine. Finding it early means you can get treatment quickly, usually with eye drops or anti-inflammatory drugs, which can stop problems from getting worse.
If you have red eyes, eye pain, blurry vision, or light sensitivity, you should see a doctor right away. Taking your medications as directed, going to follow-up appointments, and taking good care of your arthritis can also help keep flare-ups from happening.
In short, inflammatory arthritis can affect more than just joints; it can also affect the eyes. Being aware, getting care early, and having regular eye exams can help protect your vision and make your life better.
