Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders that occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells and tissues. This attack can cause inflammation, damage, and dysfunction in various organs, including the eyes.

In fact, many autoimmune diseases have ocular manifestations, which can provide important clues to their diagnosis and management. In this article, we will discuss some of the signs of autoimmune diseases in our eyes.

Redness, Irritation, and Dryness

One of the most common ocular symptoms of autoimmune diseases is redness, irritation, and dryness of the eyes.

This can occur due to the inflammation and damage of the tear glands, which produce the aqueous and mucous layers of the tears that lubricate and protect the eyes. Some of the autoimmune diseases that can cause these symptoms include:.

Sjögren’s syndrome
Rheumatoid arthritis
Lupus erythematosus
Sarcoidosis
Inflammatory bowel disease
Scleroderma

In addition to the redness, irritation, and dryness, patients with ocular manifestations of autoimmune diseases may also experience:.

Foreign body sensation
Burning and stinging
Blurred vision
Sensitivity to light

Conjunctivitis and Uveitis

Another sign of autoimmune diseases in our eyes is conjunctivitis and uveitis. Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin layer of tissue that covers the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids.

Uveitis is an inflammation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye that contains blood vessels, muscles, and other structures. Both of these conditions can cause redness, pain, and photophobia, and they can be associated with a variety of autoimmune diseases, such as:.

Ankylosing spondylitis
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis
Inflammatory bowel disease
Birdshot chorioretinopathy
Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome

Conjunctivitis and uveitis can be mild or severe, acute or chronic, and they can affect one or both eyes. They may also be associated with other systemic symptoms, such as joint pain, skin rash, fever, or fatigue.

Optic Neuritis and Retinitis

In some cases, autoimmune diseases can affect the optic nerve and the retina, the structures that transmit visual information from the eye to the brain.

Optic neuritis is an inflammation of the optic nerve, which can cause sudden onset of vision loss, pain, and color vision changes. Retinitis is an inflammation of the retina, which can cause blurred vision, floaters, and scotomas (blind spots). Some of the autoimmune diseases that can cause these conditions include:.

Multiple sclerosis
Neuromyelitis optica
Lupus erythematosus
Cytomegalovirus retinitis
River blindness

Optic neuritis and retinitis can be diagnosed with a comprehensive eye exam, visual field testing, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and other imaging technologies.

They may also require further evaluation by a neurologist or an infectious disease specialist. Treatment options may include corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, antivirals, or other medications, depending on the underlying cause and severity of the disease.

Episcleritis and Scleritis

Episcleritis and scleritis are uncommon but serious ocular manifestations of autoimmune diseases. Episcleritis is an inflammation of the episclera, the thin layer of tissue that lies between the conjunctiva and the sclera, the white part of the eye.

Scleritis is an inflammation of the sclera itself, which can cause severe pain, redness, and vision loss. Some of the autoimmune diseases that can cause these conditions include:.

Rheumatoid arthritis
Lupus erythematosus
Ankylosing spondylitis
Scleroderma
Granulomatosis with polyangiitis
Wegener’s granulomatosis

Episcleritis and scleritis should be evaluated promptly by an ophthalmologist, as they can be associated with serious complications, such as corneal ulceration, scleral perforation, and vision loss.

Treatment options may include corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and other medications, as well as close monitoring of the ocular and systemic status of the patient.

Conclusion

Autoimmune diseases can affect various parts of our body, including our eyes.

The signs of autoimmune diseases in our eyes may include redness, irritation, and dryness, conjunctivitis and uveitis, optic neuritis and retinitis, and episcleritis and scleritis. These symptoms can provide important clues to the underlying autoimmune disease and its management. Therefore, it is important to have regular eye exams, especially if you have a history of autoimmune diseases or other systemic conditions.