RA and Visual Disturbances: How to Spot Warning Signs Early
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition that affects more than just your joints. While most people think of RA as causing pain and swelling in the hands, it can also affect other parts of your body—including your eyes. Some people with RA may experience visual disturbances, which are changes in how they see. Understanding why this happens can help you take steps to protect your vision and overall health.
Understanding Rheumatoid Arthritis and the Eyes
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. This means the body’s immune system, which normally fights off harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses, starts to attack its own tissues. In RA, the immune system mainly targets the joints, causing inflammation, pain, and stiffness. But RA can also affect other tissues and organs.
Your eyes are made up of many delicate parts that can become inflamed, just like your joints. In people with RA, the same immune system response that causes joint problems can also lead to inflammation in the eyes. This can result in eye pain, redness, blurry vision, or even vision loss in some cases.
Not everyone with RA will develop eye problems, but the risk increases if the disease is not well-controlled. That’s why it’s important to recognize the signs and get regular eye checkups.
How Vision Works—and How RA Can Interfere
Your eyes rely on a system of clear structures to capture light and send visual information to your brain. Here’s a simple breakdown of how it works:
- Cornea and lens: These parts help focus light onto the retina.
- Retina: A layer of cells at the back of your eye that turns light into signals.
- Optic nerve: Carries these signals to your brain, where you interpret what you see.
When RA causes inflammation in or around the eyes, it can affect one or more of these structures. For example, inflammation of the sclera (the white part of the eye) or the cornea can cause discomfort and blurred vision. If left untreated, these changes can become serious and even permanent.
Luckily, catching these problems early and working with your doctor can help you manage symptoms and avoid complications.
Common Eye Problems Linked to RA
There are several types of eye issues that people with RA might experience. Each one affects the eye differently, and some are more serious than others. Here are the most common visual disturbances related to RA:
- Dry eyes (Keratoconjunctivitis sicca): This is one of the most common eye symptoms in people with RA. It happens when your tear glands don’t produce enough moisture, leading to dryness, burning, or a gritty feeling.
- Scleritis: This is inflammation of the white outer coating of the eye. It can cause deep eye pain, redness, and blurred vision. Scleritis can be severe and may damage vision if untreated.
- Episcleritis: A milder form of eye inflammation that affects the tissue between the white of the eye and the outer membrane. It usually causes redness and irritation but is less painful than scleritis.
- Uveitis: Inflammation of the middle layer of the eye (uvea). This can lead to light sensitivity, blurry vision, and floaters (tiny specks that seem to drift across your field of vision).
- Corneal damage: Severe dry eye can sometimes lead to scratches or ulcers on the cornea, increasing the risk of infection or vision problems.
- Retinal issues: Rarely, RA can cause blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis) that affects the retina, possibly leading to vision loss.
Everyone’s experience is different. Some people may have occasional mild symptoms, while others might face more serious complications.
What Causes Visual Disturbances in RA?
Visual disturbances can happen for a few reasons in people with RA. Here are the main factors:
- Inflammation: As part of the autoimmune process, inflammation can affect various parts of the eye.
- Dryness: RA often affects the tear glands, leading to dry eye, which makes your vision feel blurry or irritated.
- RA medications: Some drugs used to treat RA, like corticosteroids or hydroxychloroquine, can affect your eyes. While these medications help control RA symptoms, they can also increase the risk of cataracts, glaucoma, or retinal damage if not monitored.
- Underlying disease activity: When RA is not well-controlled, your risk for complications—including in the eyes—goes up.
If you’re experiencing changes in your vision, don’t ignore them. They might be related to your RA or the medicines you’re using.
When to See a Doctor
Eye problems can be scary, but many are treatable—especially when caught early. Talk to your doctor or eye specialist if you notice any of the following:
- New or worsening blurry vision
- Redness or pain in your eyes
- Sensitivity to light
- Dry, itchy, or burning eyes
- Seeing floaters, flashes, or shadows
Even if your symptoms are mild, it’s better to check in than to wait. Some serious eye conditions start with small signs and worsen over time. Early treatment can prevent long-term problems.
Also, let your rheumatologist know about any vision issues you’re having. They can help adjust your treatment plan and coordinate with an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) who understands RA.
Protecting Your Eyes When You Have RA
You can take steps to protect your vision if you live with RA. Here are some helpful tips:
- Get regular eye exams, especially if you’re on medications that affect the eyes
- Use lubricating eye drops to relieve dryness, if recommended by your doctor
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays and reduce irritation
- Tell your doctor about any changes in vision or eye discomfort
- Take RA medications as prescribed to help control inflammation throughout your body
Taking care of your eyes is just as important as managing your joint health. Keeping your RA under control can lower your risk of eye complications and help you feel your best.
Remember, you know your body best. If something doesn’t feel right with your eyes or your vision, don’t wait—check in with a healthcare provider. Your vision matters, and there’s support available to help you protect it.
Tarra Nugroho is a dedicated Nurse Practitioner with a strong foundation in family and preventive care. She brings both compassion and clinical expertise to her practice, focusing on patient-centered care and health education. As a contributor to Healthusias.com, Tarra translates medical knowledge into clear, empowering articles on topics like women’s health, chronic disease management, and lifestyle medicine. Her mission is simple: help people feel seen, heard, and informed—both in the clinic and through the content she creates. When she’s not caring for patients, Tarra enjoys weekend hikes, plant-based cooking, and curling up with a good health podcast.
