Ocular Complications Associated with Autoimmune Disease

If you suffer from an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome or even multiple sclerosis and Graves' disease, you have probably experienced a complication with distorted vision. Like many individuals who suffer from an autoimmune disease, the complications associated with eye disorders and vision complications often fall secondary to the disease itself.

Medically known as ocular complications, your autoimmune disease probably attributes to a variety of eye and vision complications. In most cases, you may have noticed your cornea is ulcerated or the vascular, or blood flow, is abnormal with your symptoms progressively worsening throughout the day.

Diagnosing the ocular complications associated with your autoimmune disease may be as simple as visiting with an ophthalmologist once every three months. During your examination, the ophthalmologist should perform standard vision screenings but also evaluate your intraocular pressure, dilate your eyes to check for complications associate with nystagmus and perform a variety of diagnostic vision tests such as the Schirmer's test.

Once confirmed as suffering from an ocular complications associated with an autoimmune disorder, your ophthalmologist will want to work with your healthcare team to devise a plan in which to treat the immediate complications associated with your vision but also create a plan in which to avoid further deterioration.

Treating ocular complications associated with an autoimmune disease will generally include the use of NSAIDs to control inflammation, the use of steroids to regenerate nerves and even using lubricating eye drops and radiotherapy to aide in tissue repair. In fact, some ophthalmologist will recommend the use of specific sunglasses as an additional option to slow deterioration of the vision and eye health.