Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects the joints. However, rheumatoid arthritis occasionally affects other parts of the body — including the eyes.
According to Bausch and Lomb, the six symptoms found in the eyes can include:
- Eye redness
- Eye pain
- Eye dryness
- Blurred vision
- Dry/gritty feeling in eyes
- Sensitivity to light.
Dry eye is a common condition in which the eyes do not produce adequate tears, leading to redness and irritation, added the health site.
“Scleritis affects the sclera, or white portion of the eye, causing pain and inflammation.
“Uveitis is an inflammatory condition that affects the uvea, or inner portion of the eye.
The symptoms will depend upon the part of the body affected.
According to Vasculitis UK, skin rashes and ulcers are a common problem.
“Involvement of the nerves usually causes numbness or tingling and ‘pins and needles’ symptoms, muscle weakness may also develop,” explains the health body.
“Inflammation may develop around the outside of the heart (pericarditis) which can cause chest pain.”