does any one no if and how RA affects your eyes? thanks - NRAS
does any one no if and how RA affects your eyes? thanks
I found out its the drugs more than the ra. My eyes got very dry and were so sore. I had my eyes cauterised so now my eyes are moist now. See your optician and explain to them what you feel. They will give you drops to help keep them moist. sylvi.xxx
Hi
I think your eyes can become dry, I used Hylo drops. I believe you can also suffer from dry mouth, my dentist suggests a mouthwash to begin with.
Mary
Hi, I was diagnosed after suffering 2 years of iritis flares on and off. It was unfortunately the beginning of my RA. Iritis is very painful and cannot be left untreated. You don't say how your eyes are affected, but this is my experience. Thankfully with taking MTX my eye problems seem less occurring which is good.
Hi
Yeah I suffer terribly with dry eyes/mouth and throat. I get eye drops to use as and when required also, have a gel to put in my eyes at night before bed as it causes blurred vision, this puts a film over the eye and helps prevent dryness during the day.
Also, my vision has went downhill over the years, when I become tired my eye muscles tire causing blurry vision, my optician says there's nothing they can do for about that other than advise me to rest my eyes regularly.
I was referred to an ENT specialist due to having a hoarse voice due to dryness as it was affecting my vocal cords, she did the usual checks for cancer etc, ended up advising me to carry a bottle of water with me and drinking regularly to moisten my mouth/throat etc.
Sorry I couldn't offer better practical advice.
Beth xx
Are you on anything else as well Debs. My scleritis started about 2 years before I was diagnosed with RA. It is still not under control. I was hoping that the methotrexate etc would make it ease off.
hi dont know if this will help, but have heard certain meds can cause problems hydroxychloroquine for example, you are supposed to get eye check before starting it, and regular while on it. the optician also told me blood pressure meds should be included, but said most dcts dont bother with that, take care , sue x.
I started taking hydroxychloroquine a few months ago, but was never told to get my eyes checked before starting, do you know why this is recomended?
hi, right have dug out leaflets,to check i had right meds ,this is what it says, hydrox may damage the retina [part of the eye] but there is evidence that the risk may be almost completely eliminated if the doctor adjusts the dose carefully, other part says, to cut a long story short they ask about any problems with eyesight, and may check vision before starting meds, and at least once a year afterwards, this can be carried out by optician, now having said that i had mine done by optician on doctors request, but the optician said two years before next check, so dont know if its 1 or 2 years, hope this has helped you, though as we all know each doctor has his own way of working. some seem to follow the book, others do there own thing, like all the rest of the meds if you have any concerns you should always go back to the doctors and get it checked properly,, take care, sue x
forgot to put web site it is arthritisresearchuk.org then just type in meds should bring up info,
Hi, sorry to say yes it can. I too was sent to Rheumatology by eye doctor as I got Iritis and episcleritis. When u think about it your immune system and inflammation affects the whole body and can inflamme other parts too. The danger signs where I would go straight to seek medical advice are Red eyes, lowering of vision, headache and or feeling nauseated. RA is also assosiated with dry eyes and mouth and u can buy products from the chemist to help and get checked out by doc as these smptoms can be caused by other illnesses or drugs. Hope u get sorted soon, take care. Axx
Hi chathunt, juvenile chronic arthritis, has been known to cause problems with eyes, and children with JCA will have their eyes checked regularly. I have JCA although I am now 60! But between ages of 10 and about 20 I always had my eyes checked at hospital appointments. As others have mentioned, I think with adult RA dryness and drug reactions are more common. Jennyx
I had same problem and asked last time i had my eyes tested. Was told its due to medication think he said if i rinsed out my facecloth and had it nice and warm it will help. H e called it dry eves like seeing dots and cannot see well all blurredHope this is of some help.
There are many add on illnesses with RA one of them being Sjogrens. Two of the symptoms are dry eyes and mouth.
webmd.boots.com/arthritis/a...
Paula
How long does your stiffness lasts?
Is this an early sign of RA? How did your RA start?
Why does RA affect muscles and tendons ?
